Nilsson targets top fiveLasse Nilsson hopes his winner
against Ajax will help to propel Heerenveen towards a top-five
finish. The Swedish striker scored the
only goal at the Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday to move Heerenveen to
within six points of fifth-placed Feyenoord.
Nilsson admits the club's target is to finish in the top five in
the Eredivisie and he was delighted to be the hero against Ajax.
"Nobody is expecting three points when you are travelling
to the Amsterdam ArenA to face Ajax," Nilsson told Sportbladet.
"We have had some tough weeks, therefore it is tremendously nice.
"The goal at Heerenveen is always to finish in the top five. We
are still aiming for that place."
The forward is hoping his recent form will also see him included
in Sweden's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier with Northern
Ireland later this month. He added: "Personally,
I feel that I should be in the squad against Northern Ireland,
of course."
HEERENVEEN STUN AJAX IN AMSTERDAM
Visiting Heerenveen held on from an early Lasse Nilsson
goal to snap a four-game winless skid with a plumbers' win
against the painters of Ajax on Sunday afternoon.
Michael Bradley came on to help close out the final 10
minutes and change as the Frisians posted their second Amsterdam
ArenA league victory in their last three tries.
Ajax entered the match clinging to faint title hopes,
which were essentially trashed on a picturesque day in Mokum.
The hosts entered in a even more offensive 4-3-3 set than usual
with twin playmakers Kenneth Perez and Wesley Sneijder.
Heerenveen, meanwhile, fielded a tight 4-4-1-1 set that
effectively slowed down the Godenzonen from the whistle.
The speedster Nilsson was employed up top to give the
Blue White Vikings a pressure valve with his home run ball
threat. The danger was evident only
seconds after kickoff as Ajax netminder Maarten Stekelenberg had
to rush out of his area to head a Petter Hansson long ball away
from the lurking Sweden international.
A minute later, Jaap Stam's low clearance was gathered by
Gonzalo Garcia Garcia at the corner of the 18-yard box, but his
quick shot flew well over frame. Ajax
then started to hog the ball, as is their custom, but
Heerenveen's cohesiveness kept them from moving forward quickly.
Perez expertly played a slightly hesitant Klaas Jan
Huntelaar through in the sixth minute; it was a stutter that
allowed Frisians keeper Brian Vandenbussche to race out and
smother in time. A poor Ryan Babel touch
near midfield gave Paul Bosvelt the opening to lead Nilsson down
the left, but former Heerenveen star Stam blocked his shot out
for a corner kick that would be cleared easily.
In the eighth minute, an extremely long Johnny Heitinga throw
sent Huntelaar running down the right side to win the first of
three successive corners. The first
quickly became the second, which was taken short to Tom de Mul;
his cross cleanly picked out Stam, whose bullet header was
swatted away from the top shelf by an acrobatic Vandenbussche.
The third restart sailed to the far side for Sneijder,
who bounced meekly into the waiting arms of the away goalie.
Stam was rescued by a fortunate Gonzalo offside violation
after Nilsson stripped the less-than-fully-fit Ajax captain as
he dawdled out of the back.
Twelve minutes in, Hansson became the first man in the ref's
book for tripping Sneijder on one of the home side's few fast
breaks. The warming hosts intricately
displayed some classic Ajax passing to work upfield at the
quarter hour, only to have Babel and Huntelaar fail to connect
on the final ball. Sneijder then played
an incisive diagonal ball to Babel racing in on the left, but
Thomas Prager rallied from midfield to take the bite out of the
Holland international's attempt on goal and Vandenbussche
collected comfortably.
The visitors made the breakthrough they were hoping for in the
17th minute, catching Ajax defender Zdenek Grygera in an offside
trap gaffe. The Czech Republic star
failed miserably to hold the line, allowing Gonzalo to slide a
diagonal feed for Nilsson to lash home.
Babel immediately raided the left flank after kickoff, but
Gianni Zuiverloon coolly picked his pocket as the winger entered
the area. The hosts returned quickly to
win a corner kick, and Hansson had to clear the line after Perez
put a loping header on target from De Mul's serve.
Ajax got sloppy at the back in the 21st minute, but
Danijel Pranjic bailed them out by crossing just a bit in front
of Nilsson.
Urged on by their demanding supporters, the home team went back
to the attack, with Sneijder playing a special toe poke through
pass to gain Babel entrance to the box in the 24th minute.
The #8 shirt raced to the endline before cutting back to
Huntelaar, who saw his low 10-yard drive kicked away by
Vandenbussche doing his best Patrick Roy imitation.
Heerenveen nearly had a calamity of their own at the
back, with the keeper forced to head clear of the marauding
Babel after Michael Dingsdag and Hansson played hot potato with
a Perez lob feed.
Oranje ace Huntelaar had a clear doorstep header from De Mul's
corner kick, but guided it wide; the striker returned the favor
by teeing up the winger on the half hour, but the Belgian
blasted over from 16 yards. De Mul
and Perez worked some tricks to set up Huntelaar in the 38th
minute, but scooped the former's overhead centering feed just
over the cross bar. As the first stanza
drew to its close, Heerenveen stopped backing up into their end
long enough to create some moves of their own.
Gonzalo worked a give-and-go with Bosvelt before crossing to
Pranjic, who volleyed over from 18 yards.
The Spaniard then turned provider for Nilsson, but Stekelenberg
was alert to the entry pass and gathered strongly to squash the
danger. Ajax came back to other end for a
last minute corner, with De Mul's tempting serve somehow
bouncing through the goalmouth untouched.
The hosts made a change at the break, bringing Romania right
back George Orgararu on for the struggling Stam, with Heitinga
sliding centrally to maintain shape.
The second half started a bit politely, but Calvin Jong-A-Pin
sparked the proceedings with a yellow card foul on De Mul.
In the 49th minute, Sneijder had to hustle back to nod a
loose ball away from Pranjic in the area.
At the other end, Hansson stood tall when Gabri tried to break
in alone with a Huntelaar lay off.
Bradley hopped off the bench to warm up for the first time in
the 55th minute, just as Ajax were squandering back-to-back
corners. Jong-A-Pin then flirted with a
red card by blocking a De Mul cross with his hand, but Gabri was
eventually called on to dispossess Pranjic when Heerenveen
countered with the cleared restart.
After the hour mark had passed, Bradley rose to get ready for
the second time as Leonardo replaced Perez in the Ajax line-up.
The Brazilian immediately showed some fancy feet to round
two defenders and was tripped just outside the area by Michel
Breuer. Sneijder
uncharacteristically mis-hit the danger free kick terribly to
draw groans from the by-now squirming Ajax faithful.
Huntelaar dummied a 72nd minute
Orgararu center to allow Gabri free passage, but the Spaniard's
first touch was too hard and Vandenbussche was able to smother.
With a quarter hour remaining, Leonardo got tangled up in a
challenge with Heerenveen sub Jakob Poulsen and had to be
quickly removed for young attacker Edgar Manucharyan.
In the 79th minute, Huntelaar fired a smart Sneijder pass
straight into the arms of Vandenbussche from 20 yards.
Hanssen shrewdly knocked a Gabri slip pass away from the
onrushing Manucharyan; an off-balance Huntelaar headed the
resulting corner kick over from 10 yards.
De Mul then cut in from the wing to blister a shot that
Vandenbussche was barely able to tip wide.
Bradley entered for Gonzalo in the 82nd minute, positioned as a
de facto #10 behind Nilsson. His entrance
alone could not stem the tide, however, and Manucharyan forced
Man of the Match Vandenbussche to push an in-drifting cross over
his bar. The young American sent a
counterattack ball over the top for Nilsson on his first touch,
but the return cross was eventually booted clear by Grygera.
In the 87th minute, Manucharyan latched onto a Sneijder
entry feed to buzz the upper 90 from the left channel.
The Ajax youngster also had the game's final chance,
giving Vandenbussche one last opportunity to shine.
Sneijder lobbed in for the Armenia international, who saw
his rocket-on-the-fly rejected by the Heerenveen keeper.
"It's a really big win for us," Bradley told YA after the
whistle. "The results haven't been what we wanted lately, so to
come away from the ArenA with three points is huge."
The Yank believes coach Gertjan Verbeek's tactics, along
with some top notch netminding from Vandenbussche, made the
difference.
"Obviously, they have so many good players," noted Bradley.
"Sneijder, Huntelaar, Perez - they're all so good at connecting
with each other. (We wanted to) not let them play right through
us, so I think we did a good job."
"Brian had a great day. Anytime your keeper plays a game like
that, you're going to be in a good position to win."
Heerenveen return to the league chase with visit from relegation
battlers RKC Waalwijk on Saturday.
4 March 2007
Roda JC 1 - 0 SC
Heerenveen
An Andres Oper strike
just before halftime was
enough to see home side
Roda JC grab the points
from Heerenveen.
Michael Bradley replaced
Paul Bosvelt in the 58th
minute, while countryman
Robbie Rogers did not
dress.
Oper capped a 43rd
minute counterattack by
converting a Marcel de
Jong pass, and the
visitors could not come
up with an adequate
reply.
Heerenveen will try to
snap their four-game
winless slide next
Sunday at Ajax.
SC Heerenveen 1 -
2 FC Twente
Heerenveen fell to seven
points behind fifth
place Feyenoord after
suffering an Abe Lenstra
defeat to streaking
Twente.
Michael Bradley picked
up a yellow card in his
27 relief minutes, while
compatriot Robbie Rogers
did not dress.
The visitors, who have
now won five straight,
opened when Blaise
N'Kufo deposited his
17th of the season on
the quarter hour.
Sweden hopeful Kennedy
Bakircioglu doubled the
Twente lead in the 33rd
minute with what proved
to be the winner.
The Frisians got back in
the game when captain
Petter Hansson nodded
home a Thomas Prager
serve in the 67th minute.
Despite a late flurry,
including a Bradley near
miss from a corner kick
in stoppage time, the
hosts were unable to
grab a share.
Heerenveen hit the road
Saturday night to face
eight place Roda JC.
FC Groningen 1 - 1
SC Heerenveen
Heerenveen inched closer
to the top five by
rallying for an away
derby share with FC
Groningen on Friday
night.
Michael Bradley worked
the opening 67 minutes
from midfield, while
countryman Robbie Rogers
did not dress.
After a scoreless first
half, Antoine van der
Linden put the hosts up
from a 62nd minute
corner kick.
Moments later, however,
league top gun Afonso
Alves bagged his 22nd
goal of the year with a
long free kick.
Heerenveen will next
host Vitesse on Saturday.
Heerenveen Hammer
Heracles
Heerenveen moved to within three points of fifth-placed
Feyenoord thanks to a 5-1 trouncing of Heracles Almelo on Friday
night. The Friesland-based side are
looking to mount a European challenge in the second half of the
season and had little difficulty in disposing of their
struggling opponents.
Lasse Nilsson set the tone for the night when he scored after
just two minutes, and, predictably, Brazilian striker Afonso
Alves continued his stunning campaign with a brace before
half-time (39, 43). The former
Malmo man has now registered 21 goals in 22 games this season
and another starring role is sure to intensify talk of a
potential January move to Manchester City.
Kwame Quansah (51) grabbed a goal back for Heracles, but Danijel
Pranjic (62) and Canadian international Rob Friend (78) rounded
off a superb night for Heerenveen.
26 January 2007
SC Heerenveen 5 -
1 Heracles Almelo
Heerenveen got the
Heracles monkey off
their back in a big way,
shredding their Saturday
visitors to keep pace
with the top five.
Michael Bradley
was drafted into
midfield for the final
20 minutes and change,
while fellow Yank Robbie
Rogers did not dress.
It took only two minutes
for Lasse Nilsson to
start the party and
Afonso Alves grabbed a
double inside of four
minutes late in the
period to give the
Frisians a healthy lead
at the break.
Danijel Pranjic
and Canada striker Rob
Friend piled on in the
late going to complete
the margin.
After celebrating their
first ever win over
Heracles, the Frisians
will make the short trip
to face arch rivals FC
Groningen in a
nationally televised
Friday evening clash.
26
January 2007
PSV EASE PAST 10-MAN
FRISIANS
Michael Adubato for
Yanks Abroad Saturday,
January 20, 2007
Michael Bradley and SC
Heerenveen fell to
defending Eredivisie
champions PSV Eindhoven
3-1 at Phillips Stadion
after going down to 10
men when defender Calvin
Jong-a-Pin was sent off
in the 14th minute.
The young American came
off the bench at the
beginning of the second
half and was slotted
into the left back
position.
Jefferson Farfán was the
first to burst forward
when, in the third
minute, he charged up
the middle and found
Arouna Koné on the edge
of the box, but the
return pass was snuffed
out by the visiting back
line.
The hosts regained
possession and pressed
the point again, this
time winning a corner.
Farfán swung it into the
box and Manuel da Costa
should have done better
with a free header that
sailed over the
crossbar.
Before the 10-minute
mark, PSV had a couple
more chances - first, a
Farfán shot that the
Peruvian struck hard,
forcing Brian
Vandenbussche into a
save that he knocked
away for a corner kick,
which he also
intercepted.
The second attack was
also courtesy of the
Lima native, this time
finding Koné, who fed
Timmy Simons in front of
goal.
The low shot was struck
hard and true, but the
Heerenveen stopper was
up to the task.
The Champions League
team drew first blood a
quarter hour into the
game after Patrick
Kluivert played the ever
present Farfán through
the middle.
As he crossed into the
18-yard box, Jong-a-Pin
grabbed an arm and
brought him down; PSV
were awarded a penalty
kick, Heerenveen's #37
was rewarded with a
straight red card.
Simons placed the ball
on the spot and the
Belgium international
had no trouble putting
his name on the
scoresheet, placing his
shot onto the top shelf.
The visitors were not to
be disheartened and
showed their mettle when,
six minutes later, the
score was once again
level.
Lasse Nilsson linked up
with Afonso Alves on the
right side of the field,
then lead the Brazilian
down the middle.
The Eredivisie's top gun
raced away from the
defense to slot past the
stunned Gomes.
A minute after the
Brazilian picked the
ball out of the back of
the net, PSV were once
again leading the
contest, courtesy of
Koné.
Simons played a long
ball forward, finding
the Ivory Coast ace on
the left corner of the
box; the ex-Roda JC man
turned the defense and
dented Vandenbussche's
net.
The teams traded free
kicks in the 28th and
30th minutes, with
Heerenveen first seeing
their 25-yard set piece
cleared by Farmers
captain Phillip Cocu.
It was followed by PSV
corner that
Vandenbussche claimed
off the top of Koné's
bleach blonde head.
Heerenveen's Jakob
Poulsen had a clear shot
at goal from 18 yards in
the 32nd minute, but
could only hit the
target of a spectator in
the 15th row.
It only took another
five minutes for the
champions to extend
their lead, by yet
another kick from the
spot.
Cocu played forward to
Farfán, who picked up
the ball just in the box
with his back to goal -
as he turned to face the
target, Michael Dingsdag
knocked him over.
The Peruvian did the
honors this time,
placing it just to the
right of the aggravated
keeper, who seconds
earlier had picked up a
yellow for exchanging
verbiage with referee
Roelof. Luinge.
To Heerenveen's credit,
the ten-man team
attempted to go forward,
but their attacks were
feeble and easily
repelled by Brazilian
defense marshal Alex and
his back line.
Danijel Pranjic darted
up the wing just before
the intermission,
beating Edison Mendez to
deliver across the face
of goal, but no
teammates were on hand
to test Gomes.
Coach Gertjan Verbeek
made a few changes going
into the final 45, one
of them being the
introduction of Bradley
at left back.
Three minutes in, Alex
let loose a 23-yard free
kick that sailed wide
right, followed by a
tame Pranjic effort at
the other end.
Heerenveen wasted a 57th
minute free kick that
Gomes claimed, followed
by another that Alves
struck off frame.
Although not much
traffic passed in front
of Bradley, the
youngster had little
problem containing
Ecuador star Mendez and
substitute Mika Väyrynen
in his defensive role.
Ex-Liverpool man Jan
Kromkamp pushed up the
right side around the
hour mark and saw an
open Mendez, but the
ex-MetroStar read the
move as if he had spent
his whole life playing
defense and cleared the
area.
The visitor's man
between the posts was
called on to make a
spectacular save in the
66th minute after
Kromkamp linked up with
substitute Jason Culina.
The man from Down
Under's free header was
knocked away by
Vandenbussche, who then
swan-dived onto the
loose ball before the
advancing Koné could
pounce.
The 11 men of PSV
dominated possession and
kept coming forward, yet
their ability to find
the back of the net was
nowhere to be found in
the second.
Väyrynen's attempt at a
bicycle kick in the box
from 10 yards left
something to be desired
as he seemed to have a
flat tire.
An 82nd minute Carlos
Salcido shot from
distance cleared the
crossbar for PSV and a
Diego Tardelli strike
also missed the target,
followed by a late shot
into the outside netting
by Farfán.
A stoppage time
visitor's corner kick
was not taken as the
referee blew the whistle
to end the affair.
"You're always in for a
tough time when you play
PSV and its tougher when
you're down to 10 men
after 15 minutes,"
Bradley told YA post
game. "We went down a
goal and a guy, but we
pulled ourselves
together well."
"If we could keep it
1-1, we could frustrate
them. The second penalty
was tough."
On playing in an
unfamiliar position,
this up-and-coming
American star was just
glad to get in 45
minutes of work.
"At that point, down a
goal, it was important
to settle down quickly
in a position I don't
play, but it shows that
the coach has confidence
in me." stated Bradley.
Heerenveen will next
host Heracles Almelo on
Friday night.
BORE DRAW AT THE ABE LENSTRA
Heerenveen's final match before the new year break ended in
disappointment as they were held to an insipid goalless draw by
FC Utrecht at the Abe Lenstra Stadion. Gertjan Verbeek's men
dominated proceedings for much of the game and for a time looked
good to continue their good run of form following two
consecutive league wins. However, it was Utrecht that might have
snatched all three points at the death, only for their hat-trick
of stoppage time-chances to all go begging. The point ensures
Utrecht head into the winter hiatus on the back of a four-game
unbeaten run that moves them to eighth in the standings, while
Heerenveen stay in sixth.
Heerenveen
began brightly and might have taken the lead on six minutes when
Danijel Pranjic's cross found Afonso Alves unmarked in the box
only for the striker to fluff his lines with only the keeper to
beat. Moments later the same duo were at it again, this time
Pranjic teeing up Alves on the edge of the box, but the
Eredivisie's leading scorer could only graze the left upright
with a rasping effort. The hosts' best chance of the half came
on 11 minutes.
Jacob Poulsen made space in the box for a shot that was well
saved by Utrecht keeper Michel Vorm, while Lasse Nilsson's
follow-up effort also brought a top-drawer stop from the
visiting custodian. In reply, Utrecht mustered a good chance on
16 minutes when Peter Kopteff's free-kick brought a smart stop
from Brian Vandenbussche, while Tom Caluwe played in
Marc-Antoine Fortune on 25 minutes but the Heerenveen keeper
blocked with his feet.
A poor second period produced little in the way of chances for
either side until the closing moments. Pranjic played in 18-goal
hitman Alves 12 minutes from time, but again the goalkeeper did
his job well, while the final moments belonged to the visitors.
Substitute Darl Douglas was guilty of a fresh-air shot while
free in front of goal as the clocked ticked round to 90 minutes,
while two minutes later the same player saw his header from
Joost Broerse's corner hacked off the line. Three minutes into
injury time, Fortune embarked on a solo run, but once again the
end product evaded Utrecht as he fired wide.
SC Heerenveen - FC Utrecht 0-0 (0-0).
Yellow Cards: Zuiverloon (SC Heerenveen), Pieters en De Jong (FC
Utrecht).
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Jong-A-Pin, Breuer, Dingsdag en
Zuiverloon; Pranjic, Hanssen (69. Friend), Prager en Poulsen
(26. Bradley); Nilsson (74. Johnson) en Alves.
FC Utrecht: Vorm; Shew-Atjon, Pieters, Broerse en Cornelisse;
Kopteff (74. Somers), Van Dijk, Caluwé en Kruys (46. De Jong);
Fortuné en Nelisse (63. Douglas).
30 December 2006
NEC BROUGHT BACK DOWN TO
EARTH
Heerenveen ended NEC
Nijmegen's recent
revival with a
comfortable 2-0 victory
at the De Goffert
stadium on Wednesday
night. Afonso Alves and
Will Johnson scored the
goals for the visitors,
who stay sixth in the
Eredivisie, four points
behind fifth-placed
Feyenoord. Heading into
the game, Mario Been's
NEC were on a five-game
unbeaten streak, but
were dealt an early blow
by Alves' strike. In the
16th minute, Peter
Wisgerhof brought down
the Brazilian 20-yards
from goal and his
preceding free-kick flew
directly into the top
corner to give
Heerenveen the lead.
On
the half-hour mark,
Lasse Nilsson carried
the ball from the left
into the penalty area
and fired a powerful
shot that goalkeeper
Gabor Babos could only
parry, and Wisgerhof was
forced to make a
last-ditch clearance off
the line. Five minutes
later Jacob Poulsen
picked out Alves with a
a perfect ball from the
right, but again the the
home defence were left
scrambling as they just
managed to clear the
Brazilian's close range
effort in what proved
the final action of the
first half.
After all the running by
Gertjan Verbeek's team
in the opening 45
minutes, his opposite
number opted to for an
all-out attack as he
brought on Paul Jans and
Said Ntivazonkisa.
However, the pair -
along with Youssef El
Akchaoui and Jonas
Olsson - all missed
decent chance to draw
the home team level
before a late sting in
the tail. With eight
minutes remaining,
Danijel Pranjic led a
fierce counter-attack
that saw him race down
the left wing, before
cutting the ball back to
Johnson from the by-line
and he made no mistake
from two yards. Brett
Holman could have pulled
one back late on, but
his 20-yard free-kick
skimmed the post to
leave the home team
finishing the game empty
handed
NEC - SC Heerenveen 0-2 (0-1)
15. Alves 0-1
82. Johnson 0-2.
Arbiter: Van Egmond
Yellow cards: Denneboom (NEC), Zuiverloon (SC Heerenveen)
NEC: Babos; Nalbantoglu, Wisgerhof, Olsson en El Akchaoui;
Kivuvu, Pothuizen (46. Ntibazonkiza) en Snoyl; Denneboom, Holman
en Worm (46. Jans)
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon, Breuer, Dingsdag en
Jong-A-Pin; Poulsen (75. Johnson), Hanssen, Prager en Pranjic;
Alves en Nilsson (86. Friend)
27 December 2006
HEERENVEEN TRIUMPHANT
Heerenveen atoned for past misdemeanours with a win at the
expense of Excelsior. First-half goals from Afonso Alves and
Lasse Nilsson were sufficient for Gertjan Verbeek's side to see
off the challenge of the team from Rotterdam. It also helped
erase memories of their 5-1 defeat at the hands of FC Twente
last weekend.
Heerenveen dominated the first half which was played almost
entirely in the Excelsior half of the field. After eight minutes
Andre Hanssen played in Alves but the shot was well saved by
Theo Zwarthoed. However, Heerenveen would not be denied for long
and they took the lead after 24 minutes. Nilsson played the role
of provider as he crossed from the left and Alves headed into an
empty net. Still the hosts pressed forward and Michel Breuer set
up another chance for Alves who shot but Zwarthoed came to the
rescue with a fine save.
Alves had another chance five minutes before the break but the
overworked custodian once again earned his keep with another
save. The second goal came three minutes before the break and
was the work of Nilsson who dribbled into the box and drew
Zwarthoed before chipping it over him and into the net. The
second half was also one-way traffic although Heerenveen were
more measured in their dominance.
After 62 minutes Alves turned two players in the box before
curling his shot from the left side of the box wide of the post.
Jakob Poulsen then created another chance for Alves who headed
wide.
One more chance went begging for Heerenveen when Nilssen struck
a post but the victory never looked threatened and Heerenveen
duly picked up the three points to climb to sixth in the
Eredivisie.
23 December 2006
SC Heerenveen 2 -
0 Excelsior Rotterdam
Heerenveen eased past
Excelsior at the Abe
Lenstra on Saturday
evening, with Michael
Bradley involved in both
goals.
The American
worked from start to
finish, picking up an
assist in a fine passing
performance.
On 22 minutes, a looping
Bradley long ball sent
Lasse Nilsson racing
down the left unfettered.
The speedy Swede
entered the area and
calmly picked out Afonso
Alves on the doorstep
for his league-best 17th
goal.
Three minutes
before intermission,
Bradley slipped Nilsson
in on goal with a pillow
soft outside-of-the-boot
pass; the forward tucked
in Excelsior for the
night with an identical
finish.
The Frisians continued
booting the ball around
with great ease, but
were unable to build a
more impressive final
tally.
Heerenveen will
now make a Wednesday
trip to face NEC
Nijmegen before heading
into the winter break
with a weekend visit
from FC Utrecht.
23
December 2006
TWENTE KEEP CLOSE TO
AJAX
FC Twente maintained the
pressure on third-placed
Ajax with a
comprehensive victory
over 10-man
Heerenveen.Blaise N'Kufo
opened the scoring early
on, but although Afonso
Alves equalised, that
was the visitors last
meaningful contribution,
as Sharbel Touma and
Jeroen Heubach increased
the lead, N'Kufo and
Kennedy Bakircioglu
completing the rout
after Thomas Prager's
sending off.In the
eighth minute Otman
Bakkal picked up the
ball on the left of the
penalty area and though
his shot hit the post,
N'Kufo was in a great
position to stroke the
rebound home.
Four minutes later
Heerenveen could have
been level, Andre
Hanssen crossing from
the right and finding
Lasse Nilsson, but the
Swedish midfielder's
close-range shot was
deflected behind for a
corner by goalkeeper
Sander
Boschker.Heerenveen were
level in the 24th minute,
the referee waving away
protests that Nilsson
had handballed and the
visitors taking
advantage of the
confusion for Alves to
fire in from the edge of
the area.The hosts
restored the lead four
minutes before the
break.
Kennedy Bakircioglu's
cross from the right
wing appeared to have
eluded everyone, but
Touma, racing into the
area at the far post,
met the ball with a
powerful shot into the
top left corner.Bakkal
and Alves had chances to
score again before
half-time, but the
Twente and Heerenveen
forwards were denied by
the crossbar and 'keeper
Sander Boschker
respectively.Twente
continued to dominate
after the break, and
were further ahead when
Heubach, without a
league goal since the
2001/02 season, made up
for that drought with a
stunning run and strike
which beat 'keeper Brian
Vandenbussche.
Two minutes after the
hour mark the game was
all but over for
Heerenveen as Prager
received a second yellow
card and was
dismissed.Nine minutes
later Twente made their
numerical advantage
count, Bakkal feeding
N'Kufo who found the
back of the net for the
fifth time in two games,
his 15th of the
season.Touma then turned
provider, playing the
ball into the area to
find Bakircioglu, who
smashed the ball into
the corner of the net
from less than two yards
out.
FC Twente - SC Heerenveen 5-1 (2-1)
8. N’Kufo 1-0
24. Alves 1-1
41. Touma 2-1
57. Heubach 3-1
72. N’Kufo 4-1
80. Bakircioglu 5-1
Red Card: 62. Prager (SC Heerenveen/ 2xgeel)
Yellow Card: Zuiverloon (SC Heerenveen)
FC Twente: Boschker; Wilkshire (85. Niemeyer), Wielaert, Zomer
en Heubach; El Ahmadi (79. Sibum), Bakkal (83. Gerk) en Engelaar;
Bakircioglu, N’Kufo en Touma.
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Breuer, Hansson, Dingsdag (60.
Friend) en Zuiverloon (46. Bosvelt); Pranjic, Prager, Hanssen en
Poulsen; Nilsson (68. Bradley) en Alves.
17 December 2006
Lens progress despite
late loss
Afonso Alves scored a stunning last-minute
free-kick as SC Heerenveen beat RC Lens 1-0 to
bow out of the UEFA Cup on a high, although it
was the French side who advanced to the last 32.
Big ask
Having picked up just a point from their opening
three fixtures in Group D, Heerenveen needed to
win and hope Parma FC could do them a big favour
against CA Osasuna in order to progress, but the
odds proved too heavily stacked against them.
Alves provided some consolation in added time as
he capped a fine performance with an unstoppable
set-piece. Despite the victory, however, the
Dutch team remained rooted to the foot of the
section, below the other two clubs on four
points, Odense BK and Lens, with the latter
scraping through on goal difference.
Demont effort
Lens had started the day second, in the
knowledge that they were guaranteed to go
through as long as they limited Heerenveen to a
1-0 win at most. They were in no mood to take
anything for granted, though, and after
weathering an early spell of pressure from the
hosts when the lively Alves went close, the
Ligue 1 outfit began to threaten. Yet although
Yohan Demont tested goalkeeper Brian
Vandenbussche, Lens had little to show for their
possession and Heerenveen gradually regained the
initiative.
Alves threat
Top scorer in the Eredivisie this season, Alves
was back in the thick of things after the
interval. He twice flashed thunderous efforts
just past Charles Itandje's goal, and while Lens
menaced again through Aruna Dindane and Issam
Jemaa at the other end, the night belonged to
Alves who grabbed the points late on. Overall
honours, however, went to the French challengers.
14 December 2006
Lens through
despite defeat at
Heerenveen
RC Lens lost at SC Heerenveen but limited the damage to
advance to the next round in the UEFA Cup.
SC Heerenveen - RC Lens 1-0
Heerenveen needed to win by three or more goals to surpass Lens
in Group D and secure a spot in the next round.
As the second half progressed, it became clear that the
Dutch would not be able to score three goals, as Lens
concentrated on keeping a clean sheet.
But the guests eventually conceded a goal in the 93rd minute
when Eredivisie topscorer Afonso Alves set the score to 1-0.
OB Odense, Heerenveen and Lens all have four points but
the French have the best goal record and move on to the next
round.
Parma - Osasuna 0-3
Parma had already won their first three matches and were certain
of winning Group D. Second-placed Osasuna were not any less
motivated however.
David Lopez scored in the 33rd and 44th minutes and Juanfran
added another in the 82nd minute to help his side to a 0-3
victory.
14 December 2006
Heerenveen leave it late
Substitute Niklas Tarvajarvi scored the only goal of the game
three minutes from time as Heerenveen climbed to sixth in the
Eredivisie table with a home victory against Roda JC.
Finnish striker Tarvajarvi latched onto Rob Friend's
flick on before shrugging off a Roda defender and finish
clinically to register his first goal of the season just two
minutes after entering the fray. The
victory ensured Gertjan Verbeek's side leapfrogged Groningen in
the table, just three points behind fourth-placed FC Twente.
Heerenveen started brightly and Lasse Nilsson went close to
breaking the deadlock only three minutes in, but Roda goalkeeper
Vladan Kujovic turned his venomous strike over the crossbar.
The hosts went close again just short of the half-hour
mark when a Danijel Pranjic corner was met by Petter Hansson,
whose towering header was hacked off the line by Marcel De Jong.
Roda's first chance of the game came on the stroke of half-time
when Adil Ramzi latched onto a long ball and raced through on
goal only to be hauled down by goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche
just outside the penalty area, with the Heerenveen custodian
amazingly shown only a yellow card.
The home side also had the better of the second half, although
Vandenbussche had to be at his best to keep out Vincent
Lachambre's goal-bound lob. Then, with
the game seemingly destined to end in a stalemate, Tarvajarvi
burst through the Roda backline to snatch all three points for
Verbeek's men
10 December 2006
FEYENOORD SCRAPE
WIN
Jonathan de Guzman's
goal six minutes from
time finally defeated
Heerenveen as Feyenoord
won a goal fest at De
Kuip Stadion.
In a see-saw
affair, Afonso Alves
gave Heerenveen a
24th-minute lead, but
Feyenoord levelled
through Stein Huysegems
on the stroke of
half-time.
The hosts then
appeared to take control
as Huysegem's second and
a Theo Lucius penalty
put them 3-1 ahead.
But Rob Friend
struck twice in six
minutes to level the
game for Heerenveen and
Feyenoord needed their
Canadian midfielder to
complete the job as the
clock ticked down.
Heerenveen started the
afternoon only three
points behind their
hosts, and showed little
fear in the opening
stages as Danijel
Pranjic cut in from the
wing to shoot narrowly
wide.
They took the
lead when Alves played a
neat one-two with Lasse
Nilsson inside the area
before firing past Henk
Timmer.
Feyenoord pushed
for an equaliser, but
had to wait until
moments before the break
before Huysegem's stole
possession on the left
and hit an instant shot
past Brian Vandenbussche.
He repeated the
trick six minutes into
the second half to give
Feyenoord the lead,
beating Vandenbussche
with a great finish.
The Rotterdammers
appeared on course for
an easy victory when
Lucius doubled their
advantage from the spot
after Petter Hansson was
adjudged to have tripped
De Guzman when it
appeared the Feyenoord
man had fallen over the
ball.
However,
Heerenveen had other
ideas and Nilsson set up
Friend for a close-range
finish for the first of
his brace.
The second came
in the 79th minute,
levelling the game when
he rose highest to head
in Pranjic's cross.
But Feyenoord
took all three points
after De Guzman fired
home from the edge of
the box.
Feyenoord - SC Heerenveen 4-3 (1-1)
24. Alves 0-1
44. Huysegems 1-1
51. Huysegems 2-1
65. Lucius 3-1 (strafschop)
75. Friend 3-2
79. Friend 3-3
84. De Guzman 4-3
Yellow Card: Drenthe, Hofs (Feyenoord),
Dingsdag, Nilsson, Breuer (SC Heerenveen)
Feyenoord: Timmer; Greene (78. Derijck), Saïdi, Bahia en
Drenthe; Hofs, Lucius en De Guzman; Kolkka (76. Vincken),
Charisteas (88. Van Hooijdonk) en Huysegems.
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon (67. Friend), Hansson,
Dingsdag en Breuer; Poulsen, Bosvelt, Hanssen en Pranjic (89.
Storm); Alves en Nilsson (77. Johnson).
3 December 2006
ALVES IS HAT-TRICK
HERO
A hat-trick from Afonso
Alves earned Heerenveen
their seventh win of the
Eredivisie season on
Wednesday - 3-1 at the
expense of Vitesse
Arnhem.
With both teams
looking to bounce back
from weekend defeats, it
was Vitesse who struck
first through Fred
Berson's first-half
header.
But the visitors
hit back after the
interval as Brazilian
striker Alves stole the
show with all three
goals, including one
from the penalty spot,
to move Heerenveen up to
seventh and ease the
pressure on coach
Gertjan Verbeek's
shoulders.
Vitesse made most of the
early running at the
Gelredome and Heerenveen
goalkeeper Brian
Vandenbussche was forced
to make early saves from
Danko Lazovic and
Anduele Prijor.
The home side
eventually broke the
deadlock after 24
minutes when Berson met
a corner from Vitesse
captain Theo Janssen and
headed the ball home
from close range.
Vitesse could
have had a second 10
minutes later but
Berson's fierce 25-yard
drive came back off the
left post.
And although
Lazovic poked in the
rebound, referee Kevin
Blom disallowed the
strike for offside much
to the frustration of
the home supporters.
The decision proved
costly for Vitesse in
the second half as
Heerenveen and Alves
staged a stylish
comeback.
The Brazilian
scored the equaliser 11
minutes after the
restart, picking up
Danijel Pranjic's pass
before taking two neat
touches and slotting the
ball past Harald
Wapenaar in the Vitesse
goal.
And just four
minutes later, the
visitors were ahead with
Lasse Nilsson's telling
cross headed home by
Alves.
Vitesse were beginning
to crumble under the
pressure and after 77
minutes substitute Ruud
Knol gave away a penalty
with a clumsy challenge
on Alves.
The striker
quickly picked himself
up before again beating
Wapenaar to complete his
hat-trick.
Heerenveen could have
added a fourth in the
dying seconds but Will
Johnson was denied by
the woodwork just two
minutes after coming off
the bench.
Vitesse - SC Heerenveen 1-3 (1-0)
24. Benson 1-0,
56. Alves 1-1
60. Alves 1-2
77. Alves 1 - 3
Vitesse: Wapenaar; Verhaegh, Sprockel (50. Knol), Sansoni,
Fränkel (43. Blondelle); Kaya, Pryor, Janssen; Benson, Lazovic,
Esajas (73. Junker).
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon, Hansson, Dingsdag,
Breuer; Bradley (59. Poulsen), Bosvelt (70. Kissi), Hanssen,
Pranjic; Nilsson (88. Johnson), Alves
29 November 2006
AZ leave it late
Two goals in the last 10 minutes fired AZ Alkmaar to second in
the Eredivisie after they came from a goal down to win 3-1 at
Heerenveen on Sunday.
Afonso Alves had put the hosts in front, but Shota Arveladze,
Danny Koevermans and Maarten Martens eventually sealed a
comfortable win at the Abe Lenstra Stadium. In an open first
half both teams created several opportunities with the first
falling to the home team in the 17th minute, but Lasse Nilsson's
12-yard strike, was well kept out by goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh.
Three minutes later though Alves put them ahead when he was
played in by Paul Bosvelt's cross from the right, which he
tapped home.
But in the 27th minute, the visitors were level. Good work by
Koevermans saw him thread the ball through to Arveladze, who
darted through and put the ball beyond home goalkeeper Brian
Vandenbussche from six yards.
Shortly after the half-hour, the visitors almost took the lead
when Tim De Cler crossed the ball from the right wing to Martens,
but he shot narrowly wide from just inside the penalty area in
what proved the final action of the first half.
Immediately after the break, Danijel Pranjic was unlucky for the
home team as his cracking drive from the edge of the penalty
area came crashing back of the crossbar.
Midway through the half, good work by Stijn Schaars saw him play
in Demy De Zeeuw, but his shot was parried away by home
goalkeeper Vandenbussche, as the visitors began to look more
threatening.
And then, with nine minutes remaining Barry Opdam picked up the
ball on the halfway line and played in Koevermans with a
perfectly timed through-ball, which he ran onto and finished low
from the centre of the penalty area.
Four minutes later, Martens broke free and was one-on-one with
the goalkeeper before finishing from close range to secure all
the points for Louis van Gaal's side
Photos SC Heerenveen
26 November 2006
Parma 2 Heerenveen 1
Parma moved two points
clear at the top of
Group D after narrowly
edging out Heerenveen
2-1 in a thoroughly
entertaining game. Igor
Budan's brace, following
Danijel Pranjic's opener
for the visitors,
settled an end-to-end
game, packed with
goalmouth action. Zlatko
Dedic's left-footed
curler, which struck the
Heerenveen bar before
bouncing over early on,
was to set the tone.
Twenty-one minutes in,
the visitors took the
lead through Pranjic,
who took the ball from
Lasse Nilsson on the
left and drilled it low
across Parma goalkeeper
Alfonso De Lucia from 20
yards out.
Parma roared back at the
Dutch side, and could
have equalised when
Budan brought a
fingertip save out of
Heerenveen keeper Brian
Vandenbussche with a
header from a Luca
Cigarini centre.
But the Croatian striker,
on loan from Palermo,
was not to be denied and
in the 24th minute he
headed Paolo
Castellini's left-wing
cross into the roof of
the net from inside the
six-yard box. With a
little more composure,
Nilsson could have had a
goal to add to his
assist, but he met
Pranjic's low cross with
a wild shot that flew
over the bar. Cigarini
nodded a half-chance
wide and then Michel
Breuer did the same from
closer in at the other
end as both teams
remained committed to
attack up to the
half-time whistle.
At the restart, the
opportunities kept
coming, firstly Dedic
shot wide for the hosts
and then Heerenveen
substitute Jacob
Poulsen's 20-yarder
forced De Lucia into a
save low down. The
Italian fielded a
long-ranger from Pranjic
before the game entered
its first lull. That dip
in proceedings lasted
less than 10 minutes as
Paul Bosvelt's header
was well parried by De
Lucia. Parma scored the
winner when Budan
notched his second,
guiding his header from
Paolo Castellini's cross
past Vandenbussche in
the 73rd minute. Chances
at either end ensued,
with substitute Rob
Friend smacking the
Parma bar late on, but
Gertjan Verbeek's side
now have just one point
from three games and
stay bottom of the group.
Parma: De Lucia,
Ferronetti, Couto (Contini
46), Rossi,Castellini,
Dessena, Cigarini, Savi,
Dedic (Ciaramitaro
82),Budan, Kutuzov (Gasbarroni
65).
Booked: Couto, Rossi.
Goals: Budan 24, 73.
Heerenveen:
Vandenbussche,
Zuiverloon (Poulsen 28),
Breuer,Hansson, Drost (Friend
76), Bosvelt, Hanssen,
Pranjic, Nilsson,Alves,
Yildirim, Poulsen (Bradley
82).
Booked: Bosvelt.
Goals: Pranjic 21.
23 November 2006
Budan ensures Parma
progress
Parma
FC booked their place in
the UEFA Cup Round of 32
after edging out SC
Heerenveen in an
entertaining Group D
game. Igor Budan's
double settled the
contest and ensured the
Italian side's progress
following victories in
their first two matches.
Pranjić opener
Zlatko Dedič's early
left-footed curler,
which struck the
Heerenveen crossbar, set
the tone for an open
encounter in which the
visitors took a
21st-minute lead after
Danijel Pranjić received
the ball from Lasse
Nilsson on the left and
drilled it low across
Parma keeper Alfonso De
Lucia. The hosts quickly
responded and could have
equalised when Budan
brought a fingertip save
from Heerenveen's Brian
Vandenbussche.
Budan header
The Croatia striker was
not to be denied and in
the 24th minute he
nodded Paolo
Castellini's left-wing
cross into the roof of
the net from close
range. With a little
more composure, Nilsson
could have restored the
Dutch team's advantage
and added a goal to his
assist, but he met
Pranjić's low centre
with a wild shot that
flew over the bar.
Further chances
As the second half
kicked off the
opportunities kept
coming, Dedič firing
wide for Parma before
visiting substitute
Jacob Poulsen forced De
Lucia into a stooping
save. The custodian also
fielded a long-range
effort from Pranjić
before the game entered
its first lull. That dip
in proceedings lasted
less than ten minutes as
Paul Bosvelt's header
was well parried by De
Lucia.
Heerenveen pressure
Parma finally sealed
their victory when Budan
notched his second,
guiding a header from
another Castellini cross
past Vandenbussche in
the 73rd minute. Chances
at either end ensued,
with substitute Robert
Friend rattling the
Parma bar late on, but
Gertjan Verbeek's
Heerenveen now have just
one point from three
outings and slip to the
bottom of the group.
23
November 2006
Croatian sensation at
Tardini!
Two goals by
Budan and one by Pranjic
as Parma defeats
Heerenveen
This evening was
something special for
Croatians who had a
chance to follow the
match between Parma and
Heerenveen. The game
finished with Parma
winning all three points
after beating the Dutch
2:1, however the
interesting fact is that
all three goals were
scored by Croatians.
Both goals for the home
side were the deed of
their leading striker
Igor Budan while the
only goal for the guests
was netted by Danijel
Pranjic. The one thing
that these two have in
common is their homeland
– Croatia.
Dedic begins the
charge, Pranjic opens
the score-sheet
Almost forgotten by the
Ex-Yu football public,
Slovenian Zlatko Dedic
has forced his name
several times to appear
in all reports about
this game. The
22-year-old striker had
several chances
throughout this duel but
his best was in opening
minutes when he struck
the crossbar. As a
retaliation to this “attack”,
Heerenveen replied
through Danijel Pranjic
as the Croatian
midfielder who made an
excellent performance
this evening used Lasse
Nilsson ball and scored
the leading goal for the
Dutch in 21st minute.
His celebration didn't
last long since his
compatriot Budan scored
the equalizer just three
minutes later.
Two headers for two
goals and a sweet
victory for Parma
Without doubt, this is
Budan's best season of
his career. The
26-year-old scored six
consecutive goals before
his goalscoring spree
stopped last weekend,
and now after just one
match of pause he scored
again, twice! Three
minutes after his team
fell behind, former
Ascoli striker made it
to the score-sheet with
a head shot to the right
bottom corner, the
assistant was Lasse
Nilsson. After this
goal, there was a lot of
efforts but not a single
goal until 73rd minute
when Budan scored again.
This time the Croatian
was provided the ball by
Paolo Castellini but the
“finish” was the same as
he headed the ball past
Brian Vandenbussche for
the final 2:1.
23
November 2006
Waalwijk woes continue
Lasse Nilsson and Afonso Alves struck both of Heerenveen's goals
early on as the visitors won at struggling RKC Waalwijk.
Nilsson broke the deadlock in the 13th minute and not
long after, Alves doubled the lead. RKC,
who have just a single victory in the Eredivisie so far, lost
for the seventh time in 13 matches while seventh-placed
Heerenveen won their sixth in 12 games.
Heerenveen were a far better side in the opening half and
deserved their lead at the interval. The
first goal was set up by Gianni Zuiverloon, who crossed from the
right and found Nilsson on the run. He
hit the ball low and into the middle of the goal.
Just seven minutes later and Heerenveen had their second after a
long pass from Paul Bosvelt landed at the feet of Alves.
At the top right corner of the penalty box, he unleashed
a shot that rocketed past Rob van Dijk in the RKC goal.
Just past the half-hour, RKC's first chance came when
Pius Ikedia laid the ball off for Robert Fuchs, whose 20-yard
attempt was just wide. Hans van de Haar
also missed for RKC after shooting from the left while outside
the area, only to watch his effort fizz past the near post.
Right before half-time, Heerenveen almost scored again when
Danijel Pranjic passed to ball to Alves whose shot went just
over the bar. In the 61st minute, the
first chance of the second half fell to Heerenveen when Bosvelt
threatened but had his shot saved by Van Dijk.
Bosvelt followed up the rebound and centred the ball but
neither Nilsson nor Alves connected with the cross.
RKC's only opportunity in the second half arrived after Ivan
Vicelich passed down the right to Hans van de Haar, who shot but
his effort was saved by Brian Vandenbussche.
Thirteen minutes from the end, the last real chance went
to Heerenveen. Ugur Yildirim shot
directly from a 20-yard free-kick on the left and struck the
left post.
18 November 2006
Drogba makes Swedes pay
for misses
Didier Drogba struck in the 38th minute for
the Ivory Coast to defeat Sweden 1-0 in an international
friendly played at Le Mans in France on Wednesday. It was
Chelsea striker Drogba's 25th international goal in 37
appearances for the Elephants
Sweden played the tidier football but were punished for lax
marking when the English Premier League's top scorer powered
home a header after a cross from the left. The Swedes should
have gone ahead in the fifth minute when striker Markus
Rosenberg steered the ball wide of the left hand post. Ivory
Coast then picked up the pace with Bakary Kone troubling the
defense and crossing for Drogba's header, which gave keeper Rami
Shaaban no chance.
Sweden, who top Euro 2008 qualifying Group F after victories
against Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Spain, should have
equalized just minutes into the second half. A smart one-two put
Lasse Nilsson through on goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, who palmed
away the midfielder's weak chip. Sweden continued to create
openings, but were denied by Barry and let down by poor
finishing with Kennedy Bakircioglu having the best of Sweden's
chances. He skewed a shot wide of Barry's left hand post in the
72nd minute and saw a header turned wide by the keeper a few
minutes later.
15 November 2006
Lagerbäck to
test new talent
Sweden coach Lars Lagerbäck will use the 15
November friendly against Ivory Coast to give "new
players a chance to shine" after naming an
inexperienced squad for the game in Paris.
Rest needed
FC Internazionale Milano's Zlatan Ibrahimović,
fellow forward Marcus Allbäck of FC København
and Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Kim Källström
have been omitted due to their UEFA Champions
League exertions, while Johan Elmander and
Niclas Alexandersson are nursing injuries. "It's
better that they can focus on one thing, rather
than coming here when they need a rest. Their
absence gives others a chance to shine,"
Lagerbäck said.
On top
Among those hoping to prove their worth are the
uncapped SC Heerenveen striker Lasse Nilsson and
fellow newcomer Martin Ericsson, a regular in
midfield and on the scoresheet for Danish club
Brøndby IF this term. Lagerbäck added: "We can
work on tactics as well as giving these new
players an opportunity to work their way into
the squad." Sweden are the only team to have won
all four of their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying
matches, sitting five points clear of Denmark
and Northern Ireland in Group F.
13 November
2006
Breda - Heerenveen 1-1 (0-1)
5. Alves 0-1,
81. De Graaf 1-1
Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon (67. Poulsen), Dingsdag,
Hansson en Breuer; Bosvelt (72. Bradley), Hanssen en Pranjic;
Yildirim, Alves (78. Friend) en Nilsson
10 November 2006
Nilsson And Ibrahimovic Return To Swedish Squad
Lasse
Nilsson and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are to return to international football. SC Heerenveen attacker Nilsson earned his first call
up for the national squad in two years. Ibrahimovic and coach
Lars Lagerbäck buried the hatchet after they had
a fall out about Ibrahimovic’ nightlife.
Nilsson is part of a 21 man squad who are to practice versus
Ivory Coast in Sweden on November 15. Nilsson has one cap so far
that dates back to 2004 when he played versus Norway.
Nilsson is somewhat of a first team player so far this season.
Under manager Gertjan Verbeek he has played ten matches as a
starter and scored three times. That’s as much as Ibrahimovic in
the Serie A for Inter Milan but he has played only eight
matches.
Ibrahimovic and Lagerbäck had a fall out when the Swedish
striker went clubbing the night before the match versus
Liechtenstein. Lagerbäck benched him for disciplinary reasons
but Ibrahimovic decided to leave the squad.
Lagerbäck and Ibrahimovic buried the hatchet now however and
he is now once again part of the Swedish team. He will also be
selected for the Swedish matches in February but only if he is
matchfit.
Complete selection:
Goalkeepers: John Alvbage(Viborg), Rami Shaaban(Fredrikstad).
Defenders: Mikael Antonsson(Panathinaikos), Erik Edman(Stade
Rennes), Petter Hansson(Heerenveen), Daniel Majstorovic(Basel), Olof Mellberg(Aston
Villa), Mikael Nilsson(Panathinaikos), Fredrik Stenman(Bayer Leverkusen), Karl
Svensson(Rangers).
Midfield: Daniel Andersson(Malmo), Kennedy Bakircioglu(Twente),
Stefan Ishizaki(Elfsborg), Tobias Linderoth(FC Copenhagen), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal),
Anders Svensson(Elfsborg), Christian Wilhelmsson(Nantes), Lasse
Nilsson(Heerenveen), Martin Ericsson(Brondby).
Offenders: Fredrik Berglund(FC Kopenhagen), Markus
Rosenberg(Ajax).
07 November 2006
Heerenveen back on track
Heerenveen
got back to winning ways
with a goal either side
of half-time against
Eredivisie whipping boys
Sparta Rotterdam on
Sunday.
Lasse Nilsson made the
breakthrough with his
club's first goal in
three matches after 29
minutes, before Afonso
Alves, a pre-match doubt
with flu, wrapped up the
win nine minutes into
the second half with his
eighth league strike of
the season.
It brings to an
end a run of two
straight defeats for the
hosts, who have seen
their league position
slide and UEFA Cup
status threatened in the
space of the past seven
days.
This win - their fifth
from 10 games this
season - sees Gertjan
Verbeek's side climb
back up the table to
eighth, while things
couldn't get any worse
for rock-bottom Sparta
at the other end.
They have lost
nine of their 11 games
and hopes are fast
fading that they will
resurrect their form.
The writing was on the
wall, at least as far as
this game was concerned,
as early as the eighth
minute when Nilsson
capitalised on some poor
defending by rattling
the inside of the post.
The 24-year-old
then reiterated his
attacking intentions 20
minutes later, dribbling
in from the left flank
and stinging Joost
Terol's fingertips with
a ferocious drive.
Sparta, however, did not
heed the warnings and
Nilsson made it third
time lucky a minute
later, finishing neatly
from a one-on-one after
Gianni Zuiverloon's
delicate through-ball
crept through a crowd of
defenders.
Alves hinted at
his threat by striking
the upright in the
minutes before half
time, but it was after
the break the Brazilian
made his mark.
Controlling a
Danijel Pranjic pass on
his chest, the ex-Malmo
hitman swivelled and
chipped Terol with a
spectacular finish.
05
November 2006
PREVIEW: WEEKEND DUTCH
ACTION
SC Heerenveen - Sparta
Rotterdam
Michael Bradley could
see his way back into
the first XI when sudden
searchers Heerenveen try
to snap a two-game Abe
Lenstra losing slide.
The American performed
well in their derby win
over Groningen two weeks
ago, but has found
himself watching from
the start the last two
outings, each a 2-0 home
defeat. Countryman
Robbie Rogers is still
working his way back
from a sore ankle, but
could feature in Young
Heerenveen's Monday
visit from RKC Waalwijk.
The Frisians are sill
missing Thomas Prager
and Niklas Tarvajärvi,
but Road Runner-esque
winger Lasse Nilsson is
back from a UEFA Cup
ban. Cellar dwellers
Sparta are without a
pair of veteran
influences in Jason Oost
and Sjaak Polak.
The Rotterdammers,
coming off their first
win of the season, have
lost three and drawn one
against Heerenveen.
03
November 2006
UEFA CUP: Clinical OB punish Heerenveen
Radivoje
Lekic scored twice as Odense BK got off
the mark in UEFA Cup Group D with a 2-0
victory against SC Heerenveen at the Abe
Lenstra Stadium, leaving the Dutch side
with it all to do.
Timely strike
Having held CA Osasuna to a goalless
draw a fortnight ago, the incentive was
there for Heerenveen to capitalise on
home advantage, but they will rue a host
of missed chances as the more clinical
visitors took the points. After OB
soaked up considerable first-half
pressure, Lekic struck the opener on the
cusp of half-time - volleying Ulrik
Laursen's left-wing cross - a blow that
Heerenveen had still not recovered from
when he doubled the advantage on the
hour to seal an impressive win for the
Danes.
Heerenveen pressure
It looked like being an altogether
different match for much of the opening
period, however, as the Eredivisie
outfit dictated the play. Gianni
Zuiverloon and Uğur Yıldırım fired good
opportunities wide while OB goalkeeper
Arek Onyszko did well to beat out
efforts from Robert Friend and Danijel
Pranjić as Heerenveen poured forward. OB,
beaten by Parma FC on Matchday 1, were
struggling. Heerenveen No1 Brian
Vandenbussche had little to do, by
comparison, save for a comfortable stop
from Tobias Grahn on 18 minutes, yet he
could do nothing as Lekic rifled in the
opener.
Missed chances
Afonso Alves and André Hanssen
squandered good chances also but Friend
was perhaps most guilty nine minutes
after the restart when he headed wide
from close range. Lekic soon made the
hosts' task even more difficult as he
shot in his second of the game - and for
his club - from the edge of the box, and
it proved too much for Heerenveen. They
almost pulled one back in injury time
when Michael Bradley's strike rattled
the crossbar - it summed up Heerenveen's
night.
02
November 2006
PREVIEW:
THURSDAY UEFA CUP ACTION
SC Heerenveen - Odense BK
Heerenveen will receive a call from
in-form Danes Odense hoping to earn
three valuable Group D points.
Michael Bradley will likely
provide relief from the bench, with
midfield ace Daniel Pranjic expected to
shake off a groin nag.
Right back Gianni Zuiverloon returns to
the line-up, while suspended right
winger Lasse Nilsson makes way for Ugur
Yildirim. Odense,
who have only lost once in their last 13
league contests, should be missing Kim
Christensen and Bechara Oliveira.
01
November 2006
SC Heerenveen - Ajax: 0 - 2
Ajax had
a good night in Heerenveen. Coach Henk
ten Cate's team struck at the right
moments. Tom de Mul and Wesley Sneijder
made sure the win (0-2) went to the most
deserving team.
An old defect seemed to surface again in
the away match at sc Heerenveen. As in
the previous matches against Feyenoord
and ADO Den Haag, Ajax created plenty of
chances. But with more precision in
finishing, each match could have been
won more easily. Ajax have been playing
well recently and the match against sc
Heerenveen was no exception. The only
complaint could be that too many chances
were left unused.
,,We
kept Heerenveen in the game for too
long’’, said Henk ten Cate. ,,I am very
pleased with the way we played. Very
focussed. But the score did not reflect
that. We did however win three important
points. I know from experience that not
many teams win here.’’
After 17 minutes, Tom de Mul showed his
team the way. Wesley Sneijder's touch
through was finished in the far corner
by the right winger: 0-1.
Sneijder, together with Urby Emanuelson
and Zdenek Grygera, created the most
danger on behalf of Ajax. Especially
Grygera's rushes caught the eye. At
least two of his shots deserved a better
fate. That could also be said of a free
kick by Sneijder and a long-distance
effort by Emanuelson, who played in
midfield this time. Ajax screamed for a
penalty, when Vandenbussche brought down
Hedwiges Maduro, but keeper
Vandenbussche just played the ball and
Maduro fell down over his arms very
easily. A right decision of the Arbiter,
no penalty!
,,We let Ajax play too much’’, said
Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek. ,,The
match could have been decided in the
first half. Ajax were well organised and
had an extra man in midfield. We were
never in the game. That has been
different in the past.’’
At times, Ajax had some great
combinations. Forwards Klaas Jan
Huntelaar and De Mul kept Heerenveen's
defence very busy, as did midfielders
Sneijder, Emanuelson, Maduro and Gabri.
Ten Cate's team had to stay alert for
the occasional counter attack from the
home side. Luckily, John Heitinga made
it top goalscorer Afonso Alves very
difficult, which took the danger out of
Heerenveen's offence. with Jaap Stam
back as the defensive anchor, the home
team could not get very close to Maarten
Stekelenburg's goal.
Michel Breuer became one of the more
dangerous players for Heerenveen. The
defender came forward regularly and
tried his luck with some shots from
distance. Lasse Nilsson also had some
opportunities, but Maarten Stekelenburg
reacted well. Just like his teammmates,
the goalkeeper played a solid match.
Ajax played well as a team against
Heerenveen this Saturday.
Wesley Sneijder ended the uncertainty
when he fired a free kick - which was a
wrong decision of the arbiter -
past Vandenbussche fifteen minutes from
the end.
Substitute Markus Rosenberg, on for
Huntelaar, could and should have scored
Ajax's third when he shot the ball
against the goalkeeper in a one on one
situation. But it had no negative
consequences. The Ajax collective won
another difficult away match.
28 October 2006
Alves treble sinks
Groningen
Afonso
Alves scored a hat-trick as Heerenveen
secured a 4-2 victory against FC
Groningen in a thrilling northern derby
on Sunday. Rob Friend scored the other goal for
Gertjan Verbeek's side, while a Yevgeni
Levchenko brace late on was not enough
as the hosts won an entertaining
encounter at the Abe Lenstra Stadion.
Without a win in their last six
encounters in all competition,
Heerenveen would have been relieved with
the result, which saw them attack from
the outset.
The game started off at a blistering
pace with both sides looking for an
early advantage. In the seventh minute, Groningen's Luis
Suarez, picked up the ball on the left,
turned inside two defenders and dragged
his shot narrowly wide.
The host hit back four minutes later
thorough a slick move involving Daniel
Pranjic and Lasse Nilsson. A good croos
by the Croatian from the left found the
head of Nilsson, but he was denied by
Bas Roorda in the Groningen goal.
And the hosts were in the lead after 14
minutes. A 20-yard free-kick from the
left by Alves sailed over the wall into
the top corner with Roorda well beaten.
Both teams continued to battle it out in
midfield with the hosts again
threatening on the the stoke of
half-time. A long range strike by midfielder
Michael Bradley from the edge of the
area was excellently blocked by Roorda
to keep his team in with a chance.
But just after the hour mark it was 2-0
to Heerenveen. Michael Breuer crossed
for Friend who made no mistake with his
header.
In the 74th minute, Bradley was involved
again as his pass found Alves who
rounded the keeper and slid the ball
into an empty net.
Five minutes later the Brazilaian
completed his hat-trick as he again
linked up with Bradley after playing a
neat one-two before hitting home.
Levchenko then hit two late goals, one a
penalty, in the 80th and 82nd minute to
add some respectability to the
scoreline. Ron Jans' Groningen drop to sixth after
the defeat, while Heerenveen are in
seventh place.
22 October 2006
Nilsson
repent in sackcloth and ashes
Attacker Lasse Nilsson says he has been stupid to gain a
red card in the match agsinst Osasuna. The Swede
got almost at the end of the match a yellow card for the
second time because he left the field too slow then
he was changed. "That was not very smart",
he says on the Internet site of his
club. "Fortunately we have not lost the
game." Also coach Gertjan Verbeek was not
happy with the action of Nilsson. "Incredibly
stupid of Lasse. At the change of Friend he already
threantened with a yellow
card and then you let his happen.
The game in Spain finished in 0-0. Concerning the result
Verbeek was satisfied, he wasn't very
satisfied about the skills of his team. "They can do much
better."
SC Heerenveen -
20 October 2006
Duo grind out draw
Osasuna and 10-man Heerenveen both
extended their goalscoring droughts
after grinding out a goalless draw in
the opening game of the UEFA Cup group
stages.
Osasuna have now gone four games without
hitting the target, while Heerenveen -
who had Lasse Nilsson dismissed late on
- have not found the net for five
matches following a lacklustre encounter
at the Estadio Reyno de Navarra.
Both sides never really looked
like winning the Group D clash, but the
home side - who were without a number of
key players - started brightest and they
created their first opening in the 13th
minute when Francisco Punal fired
straight at Brian Vandenbussche from 18
yards after Roberto Soldado's corner.
Soldado and Javad Nekounam then
both fired wide after trying their luck
from long distance as Osasuna searched
for the opening goal.
Both sides then failed to create any
clear-cut chances in a nervy and scrappy
passage of play, before Jose Izquierdo's
25-yard drive flew wide in the dying
stages of the first-half.
After the interval both sides
again failed to create many
opportunities before Heerenveen defender
Petter Hansson had to block Juanlu
Gomez's dangerous looking drive in the
60th minute. And
seven minutes later Solando missed a
glorious chance to break the deadlock
when he headed wide from six yards with
the goal at his mercy.
Osasuna continued to push forward and
Valmiro Valdo's weak effort from the
edge of the penalty area was easily
dealt with by Vandenbussche.
Izquierdo again fired wide from
long range as Osasuna searched for a
late winner, before Heerenveen's Ugur
Yildirim 20-yard effort forced a save
from Osasuna goalkeeper Juan Elia in the
80th minute.
But Heerenveen's chances of snatching a
late win were effectively ended in the
84th minute when they were reduced to 10
men after Nilsson was sent off for two
bookable offences.
19
October 2006
Osasuna
frustrated by Heerenveen
CA Osasuna and ten-man SC Heerenveen
both prolonged their goalscoring
droughts after grinding out a goalless
draw in their opening game of the UEFA
Cup group stage.
Bright start
Osasuna have now gone four matches
without hitting the target, while
Heerenveen - who had Lasse Nilsson
dismissed late on - have not found the
net for five games following a
lacklustre encounter at the Estadio
Reyno de Navarra. Neither team ever
looked like winning this Group D contest
although the home side, missing a number
of key players, started the brighter and
created the first opening of note in the
13th minute when Patxi Puñal fired
straight at Brian Vandenbussche from 12
metres following Roberto Soldado's
corner.
Scrappy play
Soldado and Javad Nekunam both sent
subsequent shots wide of goal after
trying their luck from distance as
Osasuna searched for the opener. The two
teams were struggling to create any
clear-cut chances although José
Izquierdo was not far off target with a
20-metre drive which flew wide in the
dying moments of the first period. More
of the same followed after the break,
with Juanlu providing a rare goal threat
on the hour before he was denied by
Heerenveen defender Petter Hansson's
block.
Nilsson dismissal
Seven minutes later Solando missed a
glorious opportunity to break the
deadlock when he headed wide from close
range with the goal at his mercy.
Izquierdo again tried his luck from
distance as Osasuna searched for a late
winner, before an effort from
Heerenveen's Uğur Yıldırım forced a save
from Osasuna goalkeeper Juan Elía
Vallejo in the 80th minute. Heerenveen's
hopes of snatching a late win were
effectively ended in the 84th minute
when they were reduced to ten men after
Nilsson was sent off for two bookable
offences.
19
October 2006
Group D results
Osasuna and SC Heerenveen held each other to a
scoreless draw in Spain, while Parma came back from
behind to beat OB Odense in Denmark.
Osasuna - SC Heerenveen 0-0
No goals were scored at Osasuna against SC Heerenveen.
Particularly the visitors will consider this a good
result, especially considering Lasse Nilsson's red card
in the 84th minute.
OB Odense - Parma 1-2
OB Odense had a good start and the Danes took the lead
through Esben Hansen after only seven minutes.
But Parma came back through Daniele Dessena in the 40th
minute and Igor Budan even put the Italians ahead, five
minutes into the second half.
This was enough for Parma to earn three points in their
first UEFA Cup group match.
Elia has Dutch mission on his mind
Osasuna reserve goalkeeper Juan Elia hopes to mark
his promotion into the starting line-up with a victory
in Thursday's UEFA Cup encounter with Heerenveen.
Elia looks certain to play his first game of the
season with Osasuna coach Jose Angel Ziganda opting to
rest first-choice Ricardo for the game against the Dutch
side. After two months waiting on
the sidelines, Juantxo is delighted to be handed the
chance to represent the team, but insists the result of
Thursday's match comes above any individual pleasure.
"The important thing is not who plays, but that the team
wins," he said on Osasuna's official website.
"It will be very important to win tomorrow,
because with six points I believe we can virtually
secure our qualification. "To
start off with a win will give us a lot of calm, because
where we have to be strong is at home."
Osasuna coach Ziganda will be without six players
for the match against Heerenveen with Nacho Monreal,
Javier Flano, Josetxo, Raul Garcia, David Lopez and
Pierre Webo all missing. Neither
Osasuna nor Heerenveen go into the clash in the best of
form.
Osasuna have failed to score in their last three league
and UEFA Cup matches, while Heerenveen have to go back
even further for their last goal.
Their 3-0 win over NEC Nijmegen in mid-September is now
a fading memory for Gertjan Verbeek's side, who have
since gone five domestic and European matches without
finding the net. Heerenveen also
look set to be without striker Niklas Tarvajarvi again
for Thursday's match.
Tarvajarvi has suffered a setback in the hamstring
injury he sustained a month ago against NEC and his
recovery date, initially thought to be around now, has
had to be put back. "Niklas
has pain again and as a consequence we have to be
careful about getting him back on the field," said club
physiotherapist Erik ten Voorde on
www.sc-heerenveen.nl. "I
cannot say when he is ready to start playing again, but
I do think that it will take a while."
18 October 2006
Heracles Almelo beat SC Heerenveen 1-0
Heracles Almelo - SC Heerenveen 1-0 (1-0).
34. Everton 1 - 0 (penalty).
Referee: Van Boekel.
Visitors: 8500.
Yellow Card: Biseswar,
Schilder (Heracles), Bradley, Prager (Heerenveen).
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Drost (46. Breuer),
Hansson, Dingsdag en Zuiverloon (46. Yildirim);
Pranjic (74. Storm), Prager en Bradley; Nilsson,
Alves en Friend
15 October 2006
Group D, schedule
SC Heerenveen:
19/10: Osasuna - SC Heerenveen
02/11: SC Heerenveen - Odense BK
23/11: Parma - SC Heerenveen
14/12: SC Heerenveen - RC Lens
3 October 2006
UEFA Cup draw
The draw for the UEFA Cup group stage took place at UEFA
headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Tuesday. AZ and sc
Heerenveen have been drawn against tough opponents, who
may be major obstacles, but Ajax and Feyenoord officials
were content with the draw.
AZ draw against holders Sevilla
AZ and Heerenveen face tough tests in the UEFA Cup group
stage after being drawn to play formidable opponents. AZ
in particular face fierce opposition. Yet the groups
give chances to all four competing clubs to reach the
next stage. AZ were drawn against Sevilla, who won last
season’s final in the Philips Stadium, after they had
beaten Middlesbrough 4-0 in an entertaining game.
Sevilla are having another great campaign and are third
in the Spanish Primera División. The gap with joint
leaders Barcelona and Valencia is just one point. AZ
will also meet Grasshoppers, who top the table in
Switzerland, Slovan Liberec, the current runners-up in
the Czech league and Sporting Braga, who are fourth in
the table in Portugal. FC Porto suffered their first
defeat of the season against Braga on Monday.
Ajax, Feyenoord, Heerenveen
Ajax do not face a daunting challenge. Espanyol have
only earned four points from five games in Spain.
Austria Wien clinched the title in Austria last season,
but are currently eighth in their domestic league.
Sparta Praag are third in the Czech Republic, but the
gap with the leaders is huge. SV Zulte Waregem occupy
the fifteenth place in the Belgian First Division.
Feyenoord had a fair draw: they will meet stubborn
Blackburn Rovers, AS Nancy, third in the French league,
Wisla Kraków, third in the Polish league and FC Basel
who have moved to a mid-table position in the Swiss
table. Heerenveen will face
an uphill battle, as they meet Osasuna, RC Lens, Parma
and Odense BK. The Danish club stunningly eliminated
Hertha BSC and are currently second in their domestic
league behind top-of-the-table FC Copenhagen. Osasuna
surprisingly finished fourth in the Primera División
last season. Lens have been a top side in France for
many years, but had a poor start to the campaign. The
same goes for Parma, who have earned only one point from
five games.
There are four matches per club in each group, with two
at home and two away against different opposition.
The top three teams from each group will progress to the
knockout stages.
The 24 qualifiers will be joined by the eight clubs who
finish third in their Champions League groups.
Group C: AZ, Sevilla (Spain), Slovan Liberec (Czech
Republic), Grasshoppers (Switzerland), Sporting Braga
(Portugal).
Group D: SC HEERENVEEN, Parma (Italy), RC Lens (France),
Osasuna (Spain), Odense BK (Denmark).
Group E: FEYENOORD, FC Basel (Switzerland), Wislaw
Krakow (Poland), Blackburn Rovers (England), Nancy
(France).
Group F: AJAX, Sparta Prague (Czech Republic), Espanyol
(Spain), Austria Wien (Austria), SV Zulte Waregem (Belgium).
3 October 2006
PSV: A draw was the right result
Ronald Koeman thought 0-0 was the 'right result'.
"Heerenveen were the better side in the first period; we
found it hard to cope with their way game plan, but
dominated the game after the break", said the PSV head
coach.
"Our team was not well-balanced: we played four
defenders against two forwards, so we were outclassed in
midfield and could not dominate the game. We made some
changes at half time and then we started to take control.
We obviously missed a player like Cocu, who can read the
game", remarked Koeman at the post-match press
conference. He thought the goalless draw was the right
result. He had selected Roy Beerens, as Diego Tardelli
had sustained a minor injury. "Tardelli was not
completely fit and I wanted to see Roy in action. I
thought he was sharp and he was a constant menace with
his pace. He was tired at the end, but that didn’t come
as a surprise."
sc Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek agreed completely
with Koeman and also thought all in all the 0-0 draw was
the right result. "We were the better side in the first
half, but when Cocu and Culina had been brought on, PSV
gained the upper hand. I think we fully deserved a share
of the points. We put in a spirited performance as a
team and put pressure on PSV. We played our passing game
and combined well, but we did not finish adequately. We
would have loved to win the game and did our best to
grab all three points. But it was not to be and I think
a draw with PSV is a fair result after all. I am proud
of my players."
1 October 2006
HEERENVEEN - PSV: 0-0
Eindhoven were held to a scoreless draw at SC
Heerenveen and drop to the fourth position in the Dutch
Eredivisie. Neither team appeared
to be motivated to win this match at the Abe Lenstra
stadium of Heerenveen. The hosts
created the better chances in the first half, but
efforts from Pranjic and Nilsson were saved by PSV's
goalkeeper Gómes.
The second half was even less eventful as the home team
aimed for a draw while PSV lacked the energy to make a
difference.
Ronald Koeman's PSV lose their third place to FC
Groningen, who beat Vitesse 4-3 with three goals in the
last ten minutes.
1 October 2006
RIEMER TO SAY FAREWELL WITH A WIN?
Heerenveen will want to give Riemer van der Velde a
fitting send-off with a win over PSV Eindhoven.
The chairman has been at the club since 1983, but
PSV have won six times in the last decade at the Abe
Lenstra Stadium. There is, then,
extra motivation for Sunday's game and there are points
to be made up owing to last week's 1-0 defeat by FC
Utrecht.
Coach Gertjan Verbeek said: "To win, we must keep our
minds on the game. Against FC Utrecht, we were
frustrated by the referee. "We
lost too much energy to that man. On Sunday we need to
direct our energy on other things, like being sharp in
front of the opponent's goal. Only then will we make
chances." That defeat to Utrecht
was confirmed when Danijel Pranjic missed a last-minute
spot-kick in what was the first of three games in eight
days.
The UEFA Cup win over Vitoria Setubal provided the
second of those and the schedule has taken its toll.
Lasse Nilsson, Jeroen Drost, goalkeeper Boy
Waterman and Gianni Zuiverloon are all doubts and Niklas
Tarvajarvi (hamstring) is definitely ruled out.
PSV coach Ronald Koeman is hoping to have some of his
injured players back for the game as he looks for his
fifth win in six games. Phillip
Cocu and Jason Culina are doubts, while John de Jong,
Jefferson Farfan and Patrick Kluivert are out.Koeman
said: "We mustn't grumble, as we have pulled off good
results. We missed four or five key players who are of
value to the team.
"We could have done better, but there are plenty of
positives to take from the previous games. Newcomers,
the likes of Edison Mendez and Carlos Salcido, have
quickly adapted and we'll certainly make progress when
we have a full squad to pick from."
30 September 2006
SC Heerenveen 0-0 Vitória FC (agg: 3-0)
Already three goals to the good following the
first-leg in Portugal, Heerenveen controlled affairs at
the Abe Lenstra stadium without scoring. Setúbal failed
to create any clear chances as goals from Afonso Alves
(2) and Lasse Nilsson a fortnight ago proved decisive
following a statemate tonight.
SC Heerenveen (Ned) - Vitoria Setubal (Por) 0-0.
Referee: Bozinovski (Mac).
Yellow Card: Dingsdag (SC
Heerenveen).
Visitors: 16.803.
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon (80. Breuer),
Hansson, Dingsdag en Breuer; Bosvelt (82. Kissi), Prager
en Pranjic (75. Bradley); Nilsson, Friend en Alves.GPD/ISS
28 September 2006
SC Heerenveen takes no risk
SC Heerenveen has reached the group
phase of the uefa cup. The Frisians played 0-0 against
Victoria Setubal in the Abe Lenstrastadium. In
Portugal Heerenveen had already won with 0-3. The fight
had already been fought two weeks ago and Victoria
Setubal didn't believe in a victory anymore.
Except an attempt to try to kick back at Michael
Dingsdag by Lourenço, the Portuguese attackers did
hardly showed any initiative. Heerenveen also didn't do
more than necessary, facing PSV next Sunday.
Lasse Nilsson and Afonso Alves both had a chance to take
the zero off the score board, but the Swede missed from
close and the Brasilian ran up against Keeper João Paulo.
28 September 2006
Priview Heerenveen -
Vitória Setúbal
Michael Bradley and Heerenveen will try to close out
their UEFA Cup tie when Vitória FC visit Abe Lenstra
trailing 3-0. The midfielder
should be on bench duty, while compatriot Robbie Rogers
isn't expected to dress.
Niklas Tarvajärvi isn't available to coach Gertjan
Verbeek, but Lasse Nilsson could return to the line-up.
26 September 2006
FC Utrecht - Heerenveen 1-0
Heerenveen beaten
SC Heerenveen slipped to sixth after suffering a 1-0
reverse at FC Utrecht. Gregoor van Dijk converted a
penalty four minutes into stoppage time after Utrecht
goalkeeper Michel Vorm had saved Danijel Pranjić's
spot-kick early in the second half.
24 September 2006
FC Utrecht - SC Heerenveen
Michael Bradley will again provide able bench
support when Heerenveen show up at Nieuw Galgenwaard for
a Sunday matinee. Fellow American prodigy Robbie Rogers
is not likely to dress, despite fitness concerns over
right wing speed demon Lasse Nilsson. Slow starters
Utrecht will be without Sander Keller, Robin Nelisse and
Alje Schut.
Heerenveen have posted a win and three draws on their
last four visits, scoring at least twice in each contest.
23 September 2006
UTRECHT NEED TO GET GOING AGAIN
Last weekend FC Utrecht were shocked with a 3-0
hammering by Heracles Almelo and they badly need to get
their Eredivisie campaign back on track against
Heerenveen. They managed to somewhat redeem themselves
in the Dutch Cup during midweek, when they inflicted a
3-1 defeat on AGOVV.
But, against fourth-placed Heerenveen on Sunday, coach
Foeke Booy knows the difficulty that his side
faces."Heerenveen are tough opponents with very
dangerous strikers," said Booy. "Our defence will be put
to the test."Midfielder Rick Kruijs agrees with his
boss, saying: "Heerenveen have a good squad with
technical players."However, after last Sunday, a good
result is of vital importance. Only a victory will do."
Utrecht will be without at least six players through
injury. In defence, Booy will be without Alje Schut (knee),
Sander Keller (stomach), Etienne Shew-Atjon (knee) and
Kees van Buuren (knee).Striker Robin Nelisse has a
sprained ankle and winger Nassir Maachi has not yet
recovered from a knee injury.After making a strong start
to their campaign, Heerenveen have suffered a sudden
loss in form.
Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek knows it won't be easy
for his side when they visit Utrecht after losing to
Roda JC in the Dutch Cup in midweek."Last year we lost
2-0 at the Nieuw Galgenwaard. I hope that won't happen
again. butt it is going to be difficult," said Verbeek.
Good news for Verbeek, though, is that the centre of his
defence is finally complete again. Petter Hansson and
Michael Dingsdag return from suspension while left back
Jeroen Drost has also recovered from his ankle injury.
Striker Niklas Tarvajarvy misses out with a hamstring
problem and another forward, Lasse Nilsson is also a
major doubt. His place could be taken by winger Ugur
Yildirim.
23 September 2006
High Hopes for Heerenveen
Heerenveen striker Lasse Nilsson has
tipped his side for a top three finish this term. The
24-year-old Swede has already scored twice this term,
while new man Afonso Alves has bagged four.
The Eredivisie side have taken nine points out of four
games so far and secured a solid 3-0 victory over
Vitoria Setubal in the Uefa Cup first leg. Nilsson has
hailed his partnership with the Brazilian and now
believes they can take the Abe Lenstra Stadion side to a
new level of consistency.
"It works fine, we enjoy playing together," Nilsson told
Sportbladet. "He is irrational on the pitch and can
finish from all possible positions. "For my part, I feel
I have continued on the same track as I finished last
season. "With the start we got, we should be able to
threaten AZ Alkmaar, Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord for a top
three finish."
Heerenveen face Utrecht next on Sunday looking to keep
up their title challenge and push their way to the top
of the table past Roda JC Kerkrade, FC Groningen and AZ
22 September 2006
Will Lasse's dream come true?
Lasse Nilsson will probably debute in
the Swedish Nationan team very soon. Because of the
absence of he is very clearly in the picture.
Ibrahimovic was send off from the
national team after a night out and it was said that he
won't be available for the coming two games because of
that. And that means that he does not participate in the
qualification games against Spain and Iceland. Swedish
assistant bondscoach admitted that Lasse Nilsson is one
of the possible substitutes of Ibrahimovic. Nilsson
himself doesn't want to go into that too deep yet in the
Swedish press, but it's clear that he sees it as a real
challenge. Nilsson: "I wait for my chances, but I
think that I deserve a chance. It's not a secret that it
would be my dream come ture to play for the national
team.'"
18 September 2006
Nilsson målskytt i Holland
Lasse Nilsson visar målform
i holländska ligan. Den
svenske anfallaren gjorde
ett mål när Heerenveen slog
NEC Nijmegen med 3-0 hemma.
Det var
Nilssons andra mål på fyra
ligamatcher.
Nilssons samarbete med
nyförvärvet Afonso Alves
fungerar utmärkt.
"Det
funkar väldigt bra. Vi trivs
bra tillsammans, och det är
kul med en ny lekkamrat",
säger Lasse Nilsson till
Aftonbladet.
"Afonso har gjort
fyra mål i ligastarten.
Anfallsduon har starkt
bidragit till att Heerenveen
med nio poäng är fyra i
ligan.
Med den starten vi
fått ska vi vara med och
hota AZ Alkmaar, Ajax, PSV
och Feyenoord om en topp
tre-placering, säger
Nilsson, som siktar på 15
mål den här säsongen"
Nilsson gjorde nio mål i
ligan förra säsongen.
Landslagsbacken Petter
Hansson var avstängd och
spelade inte för Heerenveen.
Sharbel Touma gjorde
2-1-målet när hans Twente
klarade 2-2 mot AZ Alkmaar.
AZ Alkmaar lyckades kvittera
med två minuter kvar och
leder ligan på tio poäng.
DN.Se - 18
September 2006
Nilsson probably in Swedish
National team?
Sc Heerenveen-player Lasse Nilsson is named by the
Swedish National coach as replacment for Zlatan
Ibrahimovic . If he will really be chosen for the
national team, then his career cis getting fast. Last
season he was only a stand-in for Samaras and Huntelaar.
Because of his good performance in the second half of
last season the Swedisch coach kept an eye on him. The
Swedisch assistant confirmed that Nilsson is one of the
candidates. De SC Heerenveen player has
to.................... with Johann Elmander, Markus
Rosenberg and Markus Allbäck
18 September 2006
SC Heerenveen - NEC
3-0
EASY FOR HEERENVEEN
Heerenveen returned to winning ways with a convincing
3-0 triumph over NEC Nijmegen. Gertjan Verbeek's men had
dropped their first points of the season last week away
to Excelsior but made it three wins out of four this
season against NEC who remain winless. Afonso Alves
opened the scoring before the break before Lasse Nilsson
and Daniel Pranjic secured victory for Heerenveen who
also started their UEFA Cup campaign well with a 3-0 win
over Vitoria Setubal of Portugal.
Heerenveen started the game in determined fashioned and
after five minutes Rob Friend fired just wide from the
edge of the box after picking up a headed clearance.
Alves almost opened the scoring after six minutes but
his shot was headed off the line by Muslu Nalbantoglu.
Pranjic then fired in a free-kick which found Michael
Dingsdag who found space to turn in the area but his
shot flew inches wide. Pranjic was again the supplier
with a cross into the box to Nilsson who cleverly lifted
the ball over NEC keeper Gabor Babos but narrowly wide
of the goal.
After 29 minutes, Heerenveen made the pressure pay when
Pranjic found Alves whose shot from the edge of the area
went in off the bar. In the second half Nilsson rattled
the crossbar from 25 yards but then made it 2-0.
Collecting another Pranjic cross, Nilsson beat Babos
with a low shot at the near post. NEC made a rare threat
after 69 minutes when Brett Holman dispossessed Michael
Bradley and advanced on goal but Brian Vandenbussche
saved.
After 77 minutes, it was 3-0 when Edgar Barreto failed
to clear and Pranjic regained possession for Heerenveen
and fired a dipping shot into the net. It could even
have been 4-0 had Alves, set up by Paul Bosvelt, not
been denied by a fingertip save from Babos.
17 September 2006
Vitoría Setubal-sc Heerenveen 0-3
SC Heerenveen will have nothing to fear, either. The
Frisian side got off to a great start to their UEFA Cup
campaign by earning an emphatic 3-0 win over Vitoria
Setubal in Portugal. Heerenveen’s latest signing Afonso
Alves from Brazil made a huge impact by scoring a double.
Lasse Nilsson put the icing on the cake in the last
minute after he had added even a third goal.
14 September 2006
,,I could have done
something''
No one understood the penalty against
Heerenveen last Saterday in their game against Excelsior
after 11 minutes. And not everyone understood why
Gertjan Verbeek replaced Lasse Nilsson by Michael Breuer.
Lasse Nilsson was one of them.
Nilsson was surprised he told the
Leeuwarder Courant. "I'm one of the best counter
forwards of the eredivisie. I could have made a
difference" but he added "But it's the choice of the
coach"
That coach is Gertjan Verbeek. He
found it irrisponsible to go on with 3 defenders. "One
on one against Escelsior is suicide" But SC Heerenveen
lost, despite the 4th defender.
Leeuwarder Courant - 11 september 2006
Excelsior - SC Heerenveen
3-1
|
Excelsior |
3 |
Heerenveen |
1 |
Bruins pen 12 , pen
72
Slory 82
|
Hansson 4
|
|
Attend:
3000
|
Half-time:
1-1
|
9 September 2006
Heerenveen wins in
Wognum
Heerenveen won a test match n Wognum
with 10-0.
heeft een vriendschappelijke wedstrijd tegen de
amateurs van De Spartanen uit Wognum in Noord-Holland
met 10-0 gewonnen. Ruim 1500 toeschouwers zagen invaller
Niklas Tarvajärvi na rust drie maal scoren. Nieuwkomer
Robbie Rogers scoorde zijn eerste treffer voor
Heerenveen.
De zondagderdeklasser was begrijpelijkerwijs geen
partij voor Heerenveen dat het in Wognum moest stellen
zonder een groot aantal internationals. Heerenveen begon
het duel met Wintjens op doel en een achterhoede met
Poulsen, Breuer, Dingsdag en Jong A Pin. Routinier Paul
Bosvelt, Alves en Hanssen vormden het Friese middenveld
en Nilsson, Friend en Garcia Garcia de voorhoede.
Heerenveen nam voor rust via Friend, Garcia Garcia,
Nilsson en Dingsdag een 4-0 voorsprong. Trainer Gertjan
Verbeek haalde in de pauze Friend en Breuer naar de kant
en bracht Robbert Maruanaya en Niklas Tarvajärvi in de
ploeg. Na een kwartier gingen bovendien Bosvelt (Türk)
en Alves (Rogers) naar de kant.
30 augustus 2006
Heerenveen 5 - 0 Willem II
The Frisians connected early and often, spanking Willem
II at the Abe Lenstra to take second place in the
Eredivisie. Michael Bradley saw
his first action of the campaign, working the final 17
minutes to help close out the rout.
Gianni Zuiverloon tapped home on two minutes to
start the party and Alfonso Alves had the lead doubled
by the 11th minute.
Midway though the period, Lasse Nilsson hustled to clean
up a rebound for the third. Alves
added his second a moment before halftime and Canada
international Rob Friend collected his frist league goal
a minute after.
26 August 2006
HEERENVEEN THRASH SORRY WILLEM
Heerenveen made it two wins out of two in this season's
Eredivisie as an inspired first-half display set up a
comfortable 5-0 victory over Willem II on Saturday.
The game was over as a contest by the break,
Afonso Alves grabbing a brace while Gianni Zuiverloon
and Lasse Nilsson added further goals in a one-sided
first half. The hosts managed
just one more after the interval, through Rob Friend, as
Heerenveen collected their second three-point haul of
the campaign to go joint top of the division.
Buoyed by their 3-2 win over ADO Den Haag last
time out, Heerenveen flew out of the traps, with
Zuiverloon guiding home an Andre Hanssen cross from the
left wing in only the second minute.
The second goal arrived in the 12th minute when Peter
Hansson sent a long ball to Alves, who bypassed a
challenge before beating goalkeeper Tristan Peersman
with his shot. Nilsson made it
three following a mistake by Willem defender Ibrahim
Kargbo, the midfielder seeing his first shot saved
before burying the rebound into the back of the net.
Iwan Redan and Mounir El Hamdaoui wasted good
chances for Willem before Alves grabbed his second of
the evening by running on to a Paul Bosvelt pass and
slotting home.
The visitors' best chance to get themselves on the
scoresheet came in the 44th minute when Zuiverloon
handled in the box, but Redan missed the resulting
penalty. Friend volleyed home a
Nilsson right-wing centre to pile on the agony for
Willem, whose only other opportunity of the game fell to
El Hamdaoui. However, his
85th-minute shot from 25 yards flew over the bar.
SC Heerenveen - Willem II 5-0 (4-0)
2. Zuiverloon 1-0
12. Alves 2-0,
23. Nilsson 3-0
42. Alves 4-0
47. Friend 5-0
Referee: Temmink
Audience: 25.600
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Hansson, Dingsdag,
Zuiverloon en Drost; Prager (74. Bradley), Bosvelt (64.
Breuer) en Pranjic; Friend (64. Yildirim), Alves en
Nilsson.
Willem II: Peersman; Wau (45. Van der Struijk), Baelum,
Valencia en Imschoot; Hadouir (70. Wilmet), Assou -
Ekotto en Redan (45. Messoudi); El Hamdaoui, Bobson en
Kargbo
26 august 2006
OFI Kreta - SC Heerenveen 0-1
SC Heerenveen won their second
international match in one week. This time it was
against OFI Kreta. Danijel Pranjic scored with a penalty
in the second half.
12 August 2006
SC Heerenveen - Middelsbrough
4-0
SC Heerenveen booked Tuesday evening
a simple 4-0 triumph on the English Middlesbrough.
Englishman David Wheater was send off with a red card in
the 9th minute by referee Temmink From that moment
there was no real match anymore. Nevertheless the 18,000
visitors saw a good first half, which brought 3 goals
for SC Heerenveen. In the second half SC Heerenveen was
less persuading. Goals were scored by Danijel Pranjic,
Thomas Prager, Petter Hansson and Niklas
Tarvajärvi
8 August 2006
Zwolle - SC Heerenveen 1-1
SC Heerenveen played 1-1 against FC
Zwolle, two weeks before the start of the competition
2006/2007. , The team of Gertjan Verbeek disappointed in
the stadion where Heerenveen enforced for the first time
European football nine years ago. Heerenveen could not
impress and got away thanks to a late equalizer of stand
in Niklas Tarvajärvi with 1-1.
FC Zwolle - SC Heerenveen 1-1 (1-0)
5. Jongsma 1-0
80. Tarvajarvi 1-1
Referee: Haverkort.
Yellow card: Zuiverloon
Line-up Heerenveen:
Goal:Vandenbussche.
Defenders:Zuiverloon (Poulsen
46), Hansson, Dingsdag (Tarvajärvi 72), Drost.
Midfield: Bosvelt (Bradley 46),
Alves (Yildirim 68), Prager (Kissi 26).
Forwards: Nilsson, Friend,
Pranjic.
SC Heerenveen - Veendam 4-2
SC Heerenveen settled
up after rest with Veendam: 4-2.
Verbeek used first the
half of the duel against Veendam
to experiment, but saw his team
suffering from the changes. In the second half,
Veendam had no answer to the team of Gertjan Verbeek
when Heerenveen played in their ususal 4-3-3 line-up.
The 1-2 of the first half was easily turned into a 4-2
triumph for SC Heerenveen by two goals from Niklas
Tarvajärvi and two penalties by
Ugur Yildrim and Lasse Nilsson.
SC Heerenveen: Vandenbussche; Zuiverloon (46. Poulsen),
Hansson, Dingsdag (70. Tarvajarvi), Drost; Bosvelt (46.
Bradley), Prager; Alves (68.Yildirim); Nilsson, Friend,
Pranjic.
2 august 2006
Buitenpost - Heerenveen: 0-9
Regioteam Buitenpost - SC Heerenveen
0-9 (0-5).
12. Afonso Alves 0-1,
14. Rob Friend 0-2,
27.Lasse Nilsson 0-3,
32. Friend 0-4,
36. Danijel Pranjic 0-5,
49. Niklas Tarvajärvi 0-6,
78. Tarvajärvi 0-7,
88. Friend 0-8,
89. Pranjic 0-9.
Heerenveen: Vanenbussche (46. Wintjens); Zuiverloon (46.
Breuer), Hansson, Dingsdag en Jeroen Drost (46.
Tarvajärvi); Bosvelt (46. Bradley), Prager (66. Hanssen),
Alves (46. Norregaard) en Pranjic; Nilsson (46. Yildirim)
en Friend.
29 July 2006
Go Ahead Eagles - sc Heerenveen: 1-3
Goals sc Heerenveen:
Breuer, Friend, Poulsen
Go Ahead Eagles - SC Heerenveen 1-3 (1-3).
20. Michel Breuer 0-1,
26. Rob Friend 0-2,
34. Loïc Loval 1-2,
43. Danijel Pranjic 1-3.
Referee: Nijhuis.
Line up Heerenveen: Vandenbussche;
Poulsen (45. Henrico Drost), Hansson (45. Kissi),
Dingsdag, Jeroen Drost (62.
Johansen); Bosvelt (62. Hanssen), Breuer, Alves,
Pranjic (62. Bradley); Yildirim (62. Storm)
en Friend (68. Tarvajärvi).
26 July 2006
Heerenveen -
Genclerbirligi: 2-2
Heerenveen was the
better one during this match, but failed to win. The
match ended in 2-2 but looking at the first half
Heerenveen had deserved more than that. The second half
was not as good as the first one, due to all the changes
in the team. But looking back at the first 45 minutes we
can conclude that Heerenveen is slowly getting in shape
for the start of the new football season.
Line up Heerenveen:
Goal: Vandenbussche. DefensieZuiverloon (Poulsen 77),
Dingsdag, Breuer, Drost.
Mid field: Bosvelt (Hansson 60), Prager (Hanssen 60),
Alves.
Forwards: Nilsson (Yildirim 46), Tarvajärvi (Norregaard
70), Bradley.
37. Okan 0-1,
40. Paul Bosvelt 1-1,
50. Bradley 2-1,
51. Okan 2-2
22
July 2006
SC Heerenveen wins
from Stormvogels/Telstar
On sports park "It Joo" in
Oudega were a pre season match played
between premier division club SC Heerenveen and first
division club Stormvogels/Telstar.
SC Heerenveen started with the entrants
Zuiverloon, Alves en Dingsdag in de line
up. Sc Heerenveen scored
2-0 by Afonso Alves
and Lasse Nilsson.
A few minutes before the end of the
match scored Stormvogels/Telstar 2-1.
Line up Heerenveen:
Defence :Vandenbussche,
Zuiverloon, Breuer, Dingsdag, J. Drost (Johansen 46).
Mid field: Bosvelt (Bradley 70),
Alves (Kissi 46), Prager (Norregaard 46).
Forwards: Pranjic (Yildirim 70),
Tarvajärvi (Boersma 70), Nilsson (Storm 31).
SC Heerenveen - Stormvogels Telstar 2-1 (2-0).
23. Lasse Nilsson 1-0,
33. Afonso Alves 2-0,
75. Jan Bruin 2-1.
Referee: Hessel Steegstra (Sneek).
Yellow cards: Abdelkarim Kissi
(Heerenveen), Harmen Kuperus, Anthony Correia, Richmond
Bossman (St./Telstar).
15 July 2006
Heerenveen
wins pre season match against Borne with 0-9
Heerenveen won
their second pre season match, this time against NEO a
3rd class team from Borne. The 9 goals came from Rob
Friend(2), Danijel Pranjic(2), Lasse Nilsson,
Tarvajärvi, Boersma, Bradley en Henrico
Drost.
Photo: SC Heerenveen
12
July 2006
SC Heerenveen
wins first pre season match
Heerenveen won his
first pre season match against a team from the region
Gaasterland in Koudum with 0-14. Heerenveen started with
Vandenbussche as goalkeeper the backs Zuiverloon, Breuer,
Dingsdag and Drost. On the midfield played Bosvelt,
Prager and Alves and the forwards were Pranjic,
Friend en Nilsson. Danijel Pranjic on the left. Lasse
Nilsson, last season from the left, this time he started
on the right wing.
Heerenveen scored in the first half by Alves (2),
Friend (2), Zuiverloon, Nilsson, Pranjic and Bosvelt,
0-9. After the break started Gertjan Verbeek with a
complete new team with Wintjens as goalkeeper, the
backs Maruanaya, Bradley, Wilusz, Jong a Pin, the
midfields Norregaard, Hanssen and Kissi and as forwards
Storm, Boersma and Tarvajärvi. The match ended with 0-14
with more goals from Bradley,
Tarvajärvi (2), Bo Storm, Age Hains Boersma
and Tom Custers (o.g.)
8 July 2006
FC Sochaux wants Nilsson
The
good season of Lasse Nilsson at SC Heerenveen is also
noticed outside Holland. According to the French Media
is FC Sochaux interested in Lasse Nilsson. De
24-year-old forward from SC Heerenveen will be the
replacement of Araujo Ilan, who probably leaves to
Bordeaux
Last season
Nilsson grabbed his chance with both hands to gain a
place in the weekly line-up at SC Heerenveen after
Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Georgios Samaras had left the
club and he scored 10 goals for SC Heerenveen. The Dutch
AZ was interested in Nilsson, but it’s said that the 7
million Euro that SC Heerenveen wanted for Nilsson was
too much for AZ.
Ilan is the
first forward at Sochaux at the moment, and will likely
put his autograph on a contract at Saint-Etienne or
Girondins de Bordeaux.
Source: MR - 11 July 2006
Manchester City
wants Nilsson
(Heerenveen)
In
januari 2006
Georgios Samaras was transferred
from Sc
Heerenveen
to
Manchester City.
Now the English club has informed at SC Heerenveen about the
transfer price of Lasse Nilsson.
The
Frysian club has asks 7 million Euro from
Manchester City. Lasse Nilsson made a good impression in
the last half a year.
Source: The Telegraph - 5 May 2006
Reports in Holland claim
Manchester City have been checking on Heerenveen forward
Lasse Nilsson.
The Swedish attacker has enjoyed a fine season and has
been linked with a reunion with former Heerenveen
team-mate Georgios Samaras. City stumped up £6 million
to sign Samaras in January and are rumoured to be
considering another raid on Heerenveen.
Nilsson scored nine goals this term for the Eredivisie
side, but is more noted for his technical ability and
was wanted by AZ Alkmaar. But AZ baulked at the €7
million (£4.8 million) asking price for Nilsson and it
is unclear whether City boss Stuart Pearce would be
willing to meet that figure.
Heerenveen are also under no pressure to sell the
24-year-old as the club swelled the coffers with the
exits of Samaras and Klaas Jan Huntelaar to Ajax. Pearce
has confirmed his intention to strengthen his squad in
the summer and Nilsson is likely to be one of a number
of candidates. Pearce has confirmed his intention to
strengthen his squad in the summer and Nilsson is likely
to be one of a number of candidates.
Meanwhile, Heerenveen's Danijel Pranjic is being courted
by Feyenoord and he would cost in the same bracket as
Nilsson.
5 May 2006
Bradley on Frisian Cloud Nine
With his first half-season at Heerenveen complete
and a European berth secured, American midfielder
Michael Bradley admitted he was over the moon in
Friesland. The former MetroStar got his first start in
the regular season finale, then received four
consecutive nods from coach Gertjan Verbeek in the
club's successful UEFA Cup playoff run.
"I hoped (we'd get into Europe), but I didn't know
whether it was going to be possible or not," Bradley
told YA. "But I'm here now." The teenager took time to
applaud the home faithful for filling the Abe Lenstra
with noise during Heerenveen's 5-0 UEFA Cup-clinching
rout of FC Twente on Wednesday. One goal from Paul
Bosvelt, Lasse Nilsson scored twice and Danjel Pranjic
also scored twice!
"It was unbelievable the way the crowd came out behind
us 200%," he declared. "They were loud, they were into
it, they made the difference." Bradley could hardly
contain a grin as he professed a quick attachment to his
new side.
"I've settled really well and I love this club," he
stated. "Now, I'm just looking forward to next year."
Source: yanksabroad.com -
5 May 2006
Heerenveen book spot in Europe
Heerenveen secured a return trip to the UEFA Cup by humbling playoff leg two
foes FC Twente 5-0 at Abe Lenstra on Wednesday night
. The
hosts closed their season by finishing off the Tukkers with a 6-0 aggregate
drubbing, punctuated by matching Lasse Nilsson and Daniel Pranjic braces.
American midfielder Michael Bradley went the distance in his fifth
consecutive start, and would have gotten onto the scoresheet himself were it not
for a good Sander Boschker save on the edge of halftime.
Heerenveen lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond set, with the young Yank working the
right side.
Both sets of supporters were singing their
hearts out from the opening tap, but the play took a few moments to warm up.
After the clubs traded some non-threatening possession spells, the
Frisians took the crack at net in the fifth minute.
Pranjic swerved a tempting cross from the left, but burly striker Mark de Vries
could only drive his header well wide from 12 yards.
In the ninth minute, Twente finally looked dangerous for the first time; Patrick
Gerritsen led Kennedy Bakircioglu into the area on the right, but his effort
rolled just wide of the far post.
With the tie so nearly
leveled, Heerenveen immediately went about fluffing their one-goal cushion from
the Arke opener.
Bradley began a break that ended with De
Vries crossing an inch too tall for the livewire Nilsson.
Seconds later, the Swedish forward got an easy assist when a simple lay off for
Paul Bosvelt was promptly rug-burned into the back of the net from 26 yards.
"We started the game well, came out and got on top of them," Bradley later told
YA. "We set the tone early and that was the key."
Twente
responded in attack quickly, and Brian Vandenbussche had to scramble to knock
away a spilled Sharbel Touma free kick before Bakircioglu could pounce.
Nilsson's long drive forced a stretch save from Boschker in the 17th
minute, the visitors were able to counter off of the resulting corner kick.
Blaise N'Kufo's smart outlet sent Gerritsen running down the left, but
his far post cross sailed over the head of Touma.
In between silly midfield bookings for Heerenveen's Petter Hansson and Thomas
Prager, Pranjic had to hustle back to clear after Gerritsen nutmegged Marcel
Seip to tiptoe along the endline.
Twente left back Jeroen
Heubach then worked a sweet combo with N'Kufo, but was frustrated to volley over
from the final lob feed.
The increasingly
troublesome Heubach dribbled past Bradley on the half hour, only to have
Bakircioglu nod his cross wide of frame.
The trailing
visitors kept coming without great effect: Karim El Ahmadi rolled meekly to the
keeper after Zomer knocked a second chance corner delivery down for him at the
top of the area.
Just when it looked like Heerenveen were getting pinned back, De Vries sparked
the club with a surprisingly nimble move.
The big guy
split two defenders to breach the right and was disappointed to mis-hit his shot
directly to Boschker from 15 yards.
Nilsson zigzagged his
way past three defenders to attack the other flank in the 40th minute, but
emergency converted center back Peter Niemayer halted his advance at the area.
A minute later, the #10 shirt collected his first goal of the playoffs
thanks to a bit of industry from Seip.
Working from a
Bosvelt lead pass, the wingback skipped around Heubach before crossing low to
the doorstep for the slippery Nilsson to deflect home.
A minute from intermission, Bradley nearly buried the dagger in Twente after
being slipped in by Nilsson.
With Zomer on his back, the
teenager fired a turnaround try that Boschker did well to tip wide of the far
post.
The hosts began the second half as they ended the
first, pressuring for a third goal to put the series out of reach.
They wasted a pair of restarts, but managed to keep the ball away from
Twente for long stretches of time.
In the 55th minute, Bosvelt released Pranjic on the left and his curled center
was nudged onto the crossbar by the rampaging Nilsson.
The blue-and-white bolt of lightning would, however, have his second of the
night shortly thereafter.
De Vries picked off a bad
Niels Wellenberg pass near midfield and picked the perfect time to play Nilsson
through the Twente backline gape; the Swede calmly rounded a flailing Boschker
before slotting into the empty net.
"When we got the third goal early in the second half, it was pretty much over
then," said Bradley.
Just as the home fans put together a
wave that would do Busch Stadium proud, Twente mustered all energy to make a
last stand.
Touma misfired high after a good string of
passes, then Bakircioglu somehow missed from close range after N'Kufo flicked on
a Wout Brama lob pass.
Bas Sibum replaced Bakircioglu in
the 67th minute, and injected some life into the visiting attack.
He showed some fancy moves to win a corner kick that Bradley did away
with, then another that Gerritsen headed wide.
A Hansson clearance put Nilsson on his gallop, and Zomer was forced to foul the
forward hustling Michel Breuer just as he approached the area with the Swede's
entry ball.
Pranjic dutifully stepped up to drill the
ensuing free kick into the back of the net, a fingertip touch from Boschker
notwithstanding.
With 15 minutes remaining, the Frisians
gained five-star status for their performance when Pranjic led Nilsson down the
left.
Wellenberg was not able to keep the juking
speedster out of his box, but he was able to lunge through his ankles after he'd
broken in; the referee didn't hesitate to point to the spot.
One cheeky Pranjic dink later, and the home faithful were bursting into a
rousing chorus of "Sing for Heerenveen" that sounded slightly more slurred than
the rendition an hour before.
By now, all efforts
were being made to keep the clock moving, although Sibum continued causing a bit
of trouble on the left.
Vandenbussche finally had to make
a tough stop when Gerritsen volleyed on target from a corner kick, but it was a
dying gasp at best.
"We had confidence in ourselves at
home, no matter how they played," Bradley told YA. "We knew that with a big
strong effort at home, we could get the UEFA Cup place."
Source: yanksabroad - 3 May 2006
Heerenveen edge
The only match of the weekend in the
Netherlands saw Heerenveen SC claim a
1-0 win away against FC Twente in their
play-off final first leg. Jakob
Poulsen's late goal puts Heerenveen in
an excellent position to complete an
aggregate victory on Wednesday and claim
a position in next season’s UEFA Cup.
30 April
2006
Heerenveen to second round Play-offs after winning from
Roda JC
SC Heerenveen will
meet FC Twente in the second round of the Play-Offs in
the Netherlands after winning from Roda JC with 1-0.
30 April 2006
Play
offs
Netherlands
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Markus
Rosenberg and Angelos Charisteas scored and Ajax beat FC
Groningen 2-0 Wednesday in the first leg of its Dutch
league playoff for a berth in European Champions League
qualifying. The second leg is set for May 3 in
Groningen.
Rosenberg put Amsterdam ahead in the ninth minute, and
Charisteas capitalized on a Groningen defensive lapse --
apparently expecting him to be called offside -- to add
the second in the 69th.
The victory came amid a report in Dutch newspaper De
Telegraaf, citing anonymous sources, that coach Danny
Blind will be fired after next week's return leg
regardless of the outcome. Ajax said in a statement that
"will evaluate its technical staff after the season" and
wouldn't comment further. "The current speculations in
the media are not in the interest of the club," the team
said. The team's players swarmed around Blind in
celebration after Rosenberg's goal.
PSV clinched the Netherlands' lone guaranteed place in
the Chamnpions League by winning the Dutch league title.
But new rules this year forced the next four teams into
a playoff for a berth in Champions League qualifying,
instead of it automatically granting it to the No. 2
finished -- which was AZ Alkmaar this season.
AZ and Feyenoord are both guaranteed a spot in the UEFA
Cup after losing the first round of the playoffs to Ajax
and Groningen, the fourth and fifth placed teams.
FC Utrecht, FC Twente, Roda JC and SC Heerenveen are
competing for the final Dutch UEFA Cup spot. In
Wednesday's other matches it was:
Heerenveen 1 - Roda JC 0
FC Utrecht 1 - FC Twente 3.
26 April 2006
'H'fean
fia Fair-play Europa yn'
Sportklub
Hearrenfean hat in grutte
kâns op it beheljen fan
Europeesk
fuotbal troch it fair-play
systeem. Dat
systeem hâldt yn dat de
UEFA lannen in ekstra plak jout
om de meast sportive
lannen te beleanjen.
Tegearre mei tsien oare lannen
hat
Nederlân acht punten of mear. Ut
dy tsien
lannen wurde dan twa lannen
lotte, dy't meidogge oan de
UEFA-Cup.
De kâns foar Hearrenfean is op
dit stuit
ien op 'e fiif. Mar as
Hearrenfean fan FC Twente wint,
dan is it ek klear.
Foarsitter Riemer van der Velde
fan SC Hearrenfean
Bron: Omrop
Fryslan - 26 April 2006
Hearrenfean fierder yn
play-offs
Hearrenfean is troch nei de
finaleronde
om in plak yn de UEFA
beker. Thús yn it
Abe Lenstra stadion
waard woansdeitejûn
mei 1-0 wûn fan Roda
JC út Kerkrade.
It doelpunt wie in eigen
goal fan Roda
ferdigener Lachambre
yn de 29e minút.
Ofrûne sneon waard yn
Limburch noch
0-0
spile. Hearrenfean komt no
sneintemiddei yn
Enschede út tsjin FC
Twente, dat mei 1-3
wûn fan FC Utrecht.
Trainer
Gertjan Verbeek oer Hearrenfean
- Roda JC
Bron: Omrop
Fryslan - 26 April 2006
First
Round
Play-Offs
The
Netherlands
Roda JC - SC
Heerenveen 0-0
SC
Heerenveen
- AZ
Alkmaar
2-4
A
draw
would
have
been
enough
for AZ
to
secure
their
second
spot in
the
league,
and
Louis
van
Gaal's
men took
no risks,
beating
their
opponents
2-4.
Danny
Koevermans
and
Stein
Huysegems
were
each
responsible
for two
goals,
while
Mark de
Vries
and
Danijel
Pranjic
scored
for
Heerenveen,
who
finish
seventh
and will
be
playing
to enter
the UEFA
Cup.
Source:
soccerway
- 16
April
2006
Lasse
Nilsson
third in
"player
of the
year"
competition
SC
Heerenveen
Lasse
Nilsson
ended at
the 3rd
spot in
the "Player
of the
year"
competition
of the
SC
Heerenveen
supportersclub.
He ended
behind
Paul
Bosvelt
(2nd)
and
Petter
Hansson
(1st).
Petter
Hansson
won this
competition
for the
4th time
in a row.
Willem II - SC Heerenveen
4-3
SC Heerenveen's Champions
League hopes were ended as the
Frisians crashed to a 4-3 defeat
at Willem II in Tilburg.
Moussa Dembele (10th) and
Iwan Redan (20th) gave the home
side a comfortable lead, but
things were turned around by
Mark de Vries (44th), Paul
Bosvelt (59th) and Arnold
Bruggink (63rd).
But Willem II did not give up
and managed to take the victory
thanks to goals from again
Dembele and Redan, in the 71st
and 90th minutes.
Lasse Nilsson
left the field after 20 minutes
with a sore ankle.
Source:
Soccernews - 12 April 2006
Van Hooijdonk makes his point
Pierre van Hooijdonk equalised 10 minutes from time
to earn Feyenoord a hard-fought point at Heerenveen. The
goal cancelled out Niklas Tarvajarvi's opener early in
the second half.
The hosts, eager to atone for a 4-1 thrashing at the
hands of NEC Nijmegen a week ago, began brightly, and
Tarvajarvi did well to create an opening for Arnold
Bruggink in the ninth minute, but the forward blazed
over.
Feyenoord then began to push forward, and Salomon Kalou
wasted a good chance in the 12th minute when his shot
was held by Brian Vandenbussche after Nicky Hofs had
played the striker in.
Vandenbussche then denied Dirk Kuyt before Kalou went
close again, this time seeing his shot come back off the
post with the goalkeeper beaten. At this stage,
Feyenoord were in control but still could not make their
dominance count.
Kuyt had a great chance when Jeroen Drost's backpass
came up short, but again Vandenbussche made the save.
The goalkeeper was in inspired form, and he would deny
Kalou once more before half-time. Just before the break,
Feyenoord goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy was called upon at
the other end, saving Lasse Nilsson's shot. The second
half would be a far more even affair, demonstrated just
three minutes in when Tarvajarvi put the hosts ahead to
punish Feyenoord for their profligacy.
Bruggink and Nilsson combined to released Tarvajarvi,
who finished from 12 yards. Feyenoord then survived a
penalty claim when Nilsson appeared to be fouled inside
the area. That kept them in the game, and allowed van
Hooijdonk to grab a share of the spoils in the 80th
minute. A neat exchange of passes between Nicky Hofs,
Kuyt and van Hooijdonk created the opening, and the
veteran striker finished from close range.
There was a late chance for Heerenveen to snatch victory
when Paul Bosvelt played in Nilsson with four minutes
left, but Ekramy made the save to earn his side a draw.
Source: Sportinglife.com - 7 April 2006
Heerenveen must have felt like
they'd been kicked in the teeth by NEC Nijmegen as their
bid for Champions League football was hit by a 4-1
defeat.
Needing to finish in the top five of the Eredivisie
if they are to take part in the play-off to determine
Holland's second team in Europe's elite club competition,
Heerenveen took a 17th-minute lead through Lasse
Nilsson.
But NEC hit back with fury.
Andrzej Niedzielan equalised a minute before half-time
and then Marcel Seip was sent off for a foul which led
to NEC's second from the spot by Patrick Pothuizen.
That penalty put the hosts in front before strikes from
Romano Denneboom and Guilliano Grot completed the rout.
1 April 2006
Nec Crush Heerenveen
Heerenveen must have felt like they'd been kicked in the
teeth by NEC Nijmegen on Saturday as their bid for
Champions League football took a major hit.
Needing to finish in the top five of the Eredivisie if
they are to take part in the play-off to determine
Holland's second team in Europe's elite club competition,
Heerenveen took a 17th-minute lead through Lasse
Nilsson. But NEC hit back with fury. Andrzej Niedzielan
equalised a minute before half-time and then Marcel Seip
was sent off for a foul which led to NEC's second from
the spot by Patrick Pothuizen. That penalty put the
hosts in front before strikes from Romano Denneboom and
Guilliano Grot completed the rout.
Nilsson could have given the visitors the lead in the
fourth minute when Fernando Derveld crossed the ball in
from the right wing. He shot from 12 yards but missed to
the left of goal. NEC's David Jones went close with a
direct free-kick from the 20 yards on the right but his
powerful shot but he narrowly missed to the right of
goal.
Then it was Nilsson's turn again to threaten. He broke
through the defence and was one-on-one with the keeper
when he shot from 10 yards, forcing the NEC keeper Gabor
Babos to save. Nilsson broke the deadlock after
connecting with a 25-yard free-kick by Ugur Yildirim.
Babos had no chance as Nilsson scored from eight yards
out.
Denneboom and Edgar Barreto both missed chances for NEC
before Niedzielan equalised. Said Boutahar put
Niedzielan through and he scored from 12 yards with a
hard shot which left Brian Vandenbussche with no chance.
In the 57th minute, Jones played a through ball to
Denneboom who shot from 10 yards but the keeper saved
the ball.
Then in the 65th minute, Heerenveen's cause was hurt by
the sending-off of Seip. He was dismissed for a
professional foul on the keeper, resulting in a penalty
and Pothuizen tucked it away for a 2-1 advantage. In the
69th minute, Barreto passed to Bjorn van der Doelen who
shot from the edge of the area and forced a a good save
from the keeper. Denneboom then scored in the 71st
minute to make it 3-1. He broke through the defence and
was one-on-one with the keeper and slotted it past him
from eight yards.
In the 86th minute, Grot scored after being fed by
Niedzielan from the right channel. A minute from time,
Niedzielan had a long shot from 25 yards but the keeper
saved.
Source: sportinglife.com - 1 April
2006
FC Twente - SC Heerenveen
1-2
Lasse Nilsson was the man of the match as
Heerenveen fought off Twente to claim full points and
move closer to the top five.
Nilsson opened the scoring after 17 minutes but saw
his opener canceled by Blaise N'Kufo ten minutes later.
Nilsson, though, was able to grab the winner in the 36th
minute and they held onto that slender lead the
remainder of the game.
25 March 2006
NILSSON DOUBLE DOWNS TWENTE
Lasse Nilsson took advantage of two defensive miscues and found the back of
the net twice to lift Heerenveen into the all-important fifth place in the
Eredivisie with victory at FC Twente.
Nilsson struck in the 17th minute before Blaise N'Kufo's equaliser shortly
after.Nilsson made sure the points were going back to Heerenveen with his second
nine minutes before half-time.
The winners of the Eredivisie will qualify automatically for the Champions
League but the sides that finished in places two through five will compete in a
play-off to determine the other Dutch side to take part in Europe's elite club
competition.Utrecht are level with Heerenveen on 29 points and they play their
game in hand on Sunday against strugglers Heracles.
Twente, who began the game in eighth place, started better but Heerenveen soon
get into their stride and the game became an equal contest.
Heerenveen threatened in the 11th minute on a counter-attack when Nilsson
broke clear of the home defence and had a free run on goal from 35 yards out.
He rounded the keeper and slid his shot goalwards before defender Ramon
Zomer got back just in the nick of time to hit the ball off the line.
Twente had a chance to lead after a long clearance from the goalkeeper was
picked up by Kennedy Bakircioglu midway in the Heerenveen half.
He ran towards goal before unleashing a strong shot from 20 yards but it
went a yard wide of the right hand post. Nilsson
capitalised on a defensive mix-up to put the visitors in front.
Three home defenders were in position to clear but looked confused on the
right edge of the penalty area. Nilsson nipped in to
steal the ball and shot home from close range.
Twente were level in the 27th minute after a throw-in from the left was headed
clear by the visiting defence. The ball was played back
into the penalty area where N'Kufo was first to react and his hard shot beat
keeper Brian Vandenbussche for the equaliser. Sharbel
Touma then had an opportunity to put the visitors in front after dribbling past
two defenders but his shot from 16 yards went two yards over.
Heerenveen then moved in front for a second time. Jeroen
Drost put in a cross from the left that Twente's defence should have dealt with
but a bad clearance from Peter Niemeyer fell to Nilsson 16 yards.
His shot went through the hands of keeper Remko Pasveer and into the net.
A third mistake almost cost Twente an own goal as Konstantinos Loumpoutis
sent in a free-kick on the left and defender Michel Breuer deflected the ball
just past the post. Vandenbussche had to make a good save
after a corner by Kennedy was only half-cleared and Bas Sibum had a shot from 18
yards.
In the 78th minute, the goalkeeper again saved well after Patrick Gerritsen's
cross from the right found the head of N'Kufo who got his shot on target.
Twente were unlucky nine minutes from the end when Touma's header hit the
post and rebound to safety.
Nilsson almost had a hat-trick in the final minute after a clear run on goal.
Pasveer came rushing out and manage to save with his feet on the edge of
the area.
Source: Sportinglife - 25 March 2006
FC Twente – SC Heerenveen: 1-2
Lasse Nilsson opened the score for SC Heerenveen after 17 Minutes. He had a
chance in the 10th minute but failed scoring. Eventually he did score the first
goal in the very important match against FC Twente. Twente scored 1-1 after 26
minutes. In the 36th minute Lasse scored again, 1-2. No goals were scored in the
second half, although both teams fought to score again. In the
89th minute Lasse got another chance but was stopped by Twente. After 90 minutes
Lasse was replaced by Sebastian Steur. Heerenveen wins after 93 minutes with
1-2!
SC Heerenveen continued their hunt for a UEFA Cup spot with 2-1 victory against RKC Waalwijk,
goals from Danjel Pranjic and Arnold Bruggink.
HEERENVEEN LEAVE IT LATE
Arnold Bruggink's stoppage-time winner earned Heerenveen all three points at
home to RKC Waalwijk. It completed a fine comeback for
Heerenveen who had equalised midway through the second half through Danijel
Pranjic after Dominique van Dijk had opened the scoring for RKC.
It was sufficient to lift Heerenveen to fifth and will have pleased coach
Gertjan Verbeek who ripped into his players after last week's 2-0 defeat by
Utrecht.
Bruggink carved out the first real opening of the match with a 15th-minute shot
that was saved by Rob van Dijk. RKC's Anthony Lurling
then fired wide after a cross from Robert Fuchs.
Dominique van Dijk then struck the first blow after 36 minutes when he scored
from close range after a pass from Patrick van Diemen on the left.
Heerenveen's Hjaltje Norregaard should have done better five minutes
before the break when he forced Rob van Dijk into another save.
At the end of the first-half the RKC goalkeeper kept out a Bruggink free-kick.
After the interval, Bruggink remained at the forefront for the hosts and
his corner set up Abdelkarim Kissi who headed wide.
Petter Hansson had a goal disallowed for offside after an hour but Heerenveen
finally got their equaliser after 68 minutes.
Pranjic collected a pass from substitute Niklas Tarvajarvi and scored from 10
yards. Bruggink was still directing operations and he
next collected a ball from Jakob Poulsen but missed to the left of the goal.
For RKC, Lurling created a chance for Van Diemen who missed to the right.
In stoppage time, Heerenveen won a free-kick and Bruggink curled the ball in for
the winner.
Statistics:
SC Heerenveen 2-1 RKC WAALWIJK
36. Dominique van Dijk 0-1
68. Danijel Pranjic 1-1
89. Arnold Bruggink 2-1
Yellow Cards: Arnold Bruggink (SC Heerenveen) and Anthony Lurling (RKC
WAALWIJK).
Line-ups:
SC Heerenveen: Brian Vandenbussche, Jakob Poulsen, Petter Hanssen (aanv.),
Michel Breuer, Hjalte Bo Norregaard, Lasse Nilsson, Thomas Prager, Jeroen Drost,
Arnold Bruggink, Aldelkrim Kissi (62. Niklas Tarvajärvi), Danijel Pranjic.
RKC WAALWIJK: Rob van Dijk, Patrick van Diemen (aanv.), Ryan Donk, Stephan
Keller, Dustley Mulder (76. Cerezo Fung a Wing), Danny Mathijssen, Ruud Berger,
Gianni Zuiverloon, Anthony Lurling, Robert Fuchs (79. Hans van de Haar),
Dominique van Dijk.
19 March 2006
SC Heerenveen - RKC: 2-1
Sportklub Heerenveen hat sneon de
thúswedstryd tsjin RKC Waalwijk mei 2-1 wûn. De winst waard yn de 89ste
minút feilichsteld. Doe makke Arnold Bruggink it winnende doelpunt.
Hearrenfean gie de rêst yn mei in 1-0 achterstân nei in
goal fan Dominique van Dijk fan RKC. Yn de 68ste minút
makke Pranjic gelyk. Dêrnei duorre it dus noch
hast oant de ein ta foardat Hearrenfean de winst
binnenslepe koe. De klub stiet no sande yn de earedivyzje.
Sjoerd-Marten
Vrieswyk prate nei mei Bruggink
Source: omropfryslan - 19 March 2006
Some more photos from the match SC Heerenveen
- FC Utrecht
Thanks to
www.fcufans.nl and
photographer René van der Laan,
www.photoartutrecht.nl for these photos.
Sore Ankles for Lasse Nilsson
Lasse Nilsson has sore ankles. He had received a few
kicks in the game against Utrecht and was painful, but will definitely be able
to play next Saterday against RKC.
Bron: SC Heerenveen - 15 maart 2006
FC Utrecht - SC Heerenveen 2-0
FC Utrecht defeated SC Heerenveen at
Nieuw Galgenwaard stadium, with forward
Robin Nelisse opening the score after
67th minute. A second goal was added by
Marc-Antoine Fortuna in added time.
12
March 2006
UTRECHT COAST TO 2-0 WIN
FC Utrecht gave themselves a boost in the battle for European
places by earning a 2-0 win over fellow play-off contenders
Heerenveen on Sunday. Robin Nelisse broke the deadlock in the
58th minute before his replacement, Marc-Antoine Fortune, sealed
the points in injury time.
The win puts three points between Utrecht and their opponents,
and moves them into fifth place within two points of Ajax. The
home side first threatened when Tom Caluwe shot over the
crossbar in the 10th minute, although Heerenveen replied four
minutes later with Lasse Nilsson firing a low free-kick
wide.
Heerenveen goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche was first called into
action in the 28th minute to save low to his right to turn away
an Adil Ramzi free-kick, and four minutes later, Utrecht's Dave
van der Bergh had a shot blocked by Michael Breuer. In
first-half stoppage time, Rick Kruys fired over from distance,
but within 13 minutes of the restart, Utrecht were finally in
front. Van den Bergh picked out Nelisse in the middle of the
area and the former AZ Alkmaar striker headed home from six
yards for his ninth goal of the season.
Just two minutes later Nelisse had another close-range header
but nodded over from Kruys' delivery. Utrecht could have wrapped
it up with 16 minutes remaining after Ramzi found Van den Bergh,
who shot narrowly over from just inside the box.
But Heerenveen posed no threat of an equaliser and the next
chance was again made by the hosts, Fortune heading inches wide
from an 89th-minute free-kick by fellow substitute Darl Douglas.
However, Fortune, who replaced Nelisse in the 87th minute, would
not be denied, firing into the bottom corner after being set up
by Ramzi.
Source: sportinglife - 12 march 2006
PSV MARCH TOWARDS ANOTHER TITLE
PSV Eindhoven's defence of the Eredivisie title looks more
and more like ending in success after a convincing win against
Heerenveen.Arouna Kone opened the scoring for the home side
eight minutes before the interval and Phillip Cocu added another
in the final minute of the half.Mark De Vries pulled one back
just after the hour for Heerenveen but goals from Alex and a
second from Kone sealed a comfortable victory for Guus Hiddink's
side who face Lyon in the Champions League next week.
With seven games to play they stretch their lead to 10 points
over Feyenoord who have a game in hand.Nonetheless, it would now
take a major collapse to deny Hiddink what looks to be a fitting
farewell, with reports suggesting he will take control of the
Russian national side after the World Cup, in which he will be
in charge of Australia.
Heerenveen started well and after nine minutes Arnold Bruggink
forced a save from Heurelho Gomes.At the other end, Cocu fired
over from the edge of the box and then Heerenveen goalkeeper
Brian Vandenbussche saved well from Kone following a cross from
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.After 37 minutes, Kone opened the
scoring with a close-range header from a free-kick by Jason
Culina on the right.
Cocu made it 2-0 when he collected a ball from Vennegoor of
Hesselink, netting from 14 yards with a powerful shot.Heerenveen
tried to hit back after the break but Lasse Nilsson missed to
the left after a pass from Paul Bosvelt.Four minutes later they
pulled one back when De Vries headed home from four yards after
a cross from Ugur Yildirim.Alex settled any lingering PSV nerves
with a powerful free-kick a quarter of an hour from time.Kone
added some gloss with his second goal six minutes from time,
latching onto a miscued clearance from Michel Breuer to beat
Vandenbussche from 12 yards.
Friday 24-02-06:
RBC - NEC 2-0
RKC Waalwijk - FC TWente: 0-0
Saterday 25-02-06:
ADO Den Haag - Vitesse: 2-0
Sparta Rotterdam - Willem II: 3-2
Sunday 26-02-06:
SC Heerenveen - NAC: 2-1
AZ - PSV: 1-2
FC Utrecht - Roda JC Kerkrade 2-1
Heracles Almelo - Ajax: 1-3
FC Groningen - Feyenoord: 1-1
26 Februari 2006
Steaua Bucharest 0 Heerenveen 1 (agg 3-2)
A
late goal from Arnold Bruggink was not enough to save
Heerenveen's European campaign as they went out of the UEFA Cup
with a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Steaua Bucharest.
Having lost heavily at home, the Dutch side always faced an
uphill battle to get into the last 16 and although Bruggink
finally broke through the Steaua defence in the 85th minute, it
was too little too late for Gertjan Verbeek's men.
Bruggink, a half-time substitute after a disappointing first 45
minutes, found the net with a drilled right-footed shot which
flew into the top left-hand corner of Alberto Carlos' goal.
Verbeek claimed before kick-off that his side had "no chance" of
progressing after losing the first leg 3-1 and he clearly saw
little to change his opinion in a dour first half in which
neither side created anything. His response was to bring off
Michel Breuer and Hjalte Norregaard for Bruggink and Jeroen
Drost at half-time, and saw his side have the first two chances
of the second half as a result.
In the 58th minute, Lasse Nilsson drilled a right-footed shot
from the edge of the area which was charged down by Steaua
defender Dorin Goian. Moments later, Drost got into a good
position, but fired his right-footed shot over the bar. Steaua
were still creating chances however, and in the 67th minute
Victoras Iacob was guilty of blazing the ball over the bar from
the edge of the area.
Heerenveen continued to push forward but chances were few and
far between, and besides picking Bruggink's late consolation out
of the net, Carlos was untroubled in the Steaua goal.
Source: sportinglife - 23
February 2006
Steaua survive late scare
FC Steaua Bucuresti
ensured there will be two clubs from the Romanian capital in the
last 16 of the UEFA Cup despite losing 1-0 at home to SC
Heerenveen tonight.
Bruggink
goal
Arnold Bruggink's 85th-minute goal gave the Dutch visitors a
glimmer of late hope, but they were ultimately undone by last
week's 3-1 defeat at their Abe Lenstra home. Steaua coach Cosmin
Olaroiu had said he would not approach tonight's second leg with
anything other than total professionalism and he proved true to
his word, making just one change from the side which won so
comfortably in the Netherlands – Eugen Baciu coming in for Sorin
Ghionea.
Gamble
Heerenveen's Gertjan Verbeek had to take a gamble, and did so by
recalling Fernando Derveld, Thomas Prager and Mark de Vries.
Bruggink was one of the players to drop to the bench in spite of
opening the scoring in the first leg. After an opening first 45
minutes notable only for its lack of excitement, Verbeek brought
on Bruggink and Jeroen Drost and soon saw his side have the
first two chances of the second half - Lasse Nilsson having a
shot charged down and Drost firing over when well placed.
Individual goal
Steaua were still creating chances, however, and in the 67th
minute Victoras Iacob was guilty of blazing the ball over the
bar from the edge of the area. Heerenveen did their best to take
the game to the home side but only had Bruggink's fine
individual goal to show for their efforts. That strike meant a
large and expectant crowd had to endure a nervous wait, although
Steaua held on to join AFC Rapid Bucuresti in the last 16.
Photos thanks to SC Heerenveen
Source: EUFA
Red cards Nilsson and Kah
dismissed
The red cards of Pa-Modou Kah (Roda JC)
and Lasse Nilsson (SC Heerenveen) are
dismissed because of the lack of proof,
thus the discipline commission of the KNVB judged today. On
indications of assistant adjudicator Ron Karremans,
arbitrator Wiedemeijer send off the two men to
their dressingrooms. The two players would
have had a fight with each other.
The arbiter, Wiedemeijer had
not seen it, also television pictures
couldn't reveal what had happened. The
discipline commission thereby came to the
conclusion that there iwere no grounds
to suspend both players.
Heerenveen
hampered by complacency
SC Heerenveen completed a disappointing week with a second defeat in four
days as they let a lead slip at Roda JC, and Gertjan Verbeek will need to
oversee a huge improvement if his team are to overhaul an imposing 3-1 first-leg
defeat against FC Steaua Bucuresti in the UEFA Cup Round of 32 on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Romanian team were able to concentrate fully on the second leg at
the Ghencea Stadium.
FC Steaua Bucuresti
Steaua coach Cosmin Olaroiu has
insisted he will not be taking his side's second leg against Heerenveen lightly
despite their two-goal advantage after 90 minutes. "Even though we are almost
through, we will treat the second leg as seriously as we do every match," he
said. "We have to respect our fame and our name, but we have to play for our
fans and for our points in the UEFA coefficients ranking."
Currently in the midst of a lengthy winter break, Steaua decided against
playing any friendly matches in preparation for the visit of Heerenveen. With
their home ground, the Ghencea Stadium, undergoing refurbishment the match is
due to take place at the 40,000 capacity National Stadium and with tickets
selling at a rapid rate there is every chance that it will be a sell-out
match.
Roda JC 2-1 SC Heerenveen
Heerenveen fans would have
been struck by a heavy sense of déjà-vu at the Parkstad Limburg on Saturday as
early promise came to nothing. On Thursday, Arnold Bruggink had broken the
deadlock midway through the first half before Steaua stormed back with three
unanswered goals and the Dutch striker was again on target after 17 minutes
against Roda. But he turned from hero to villain in the second half when he
conceded a penalty and the home team went on to triumph in a game that each team
ended with ten men - Lasse Nilsson the Heerenveen player sent-off.
The team now lie sixth in the Eredivisie standings, and Verbeek, who rested
Moroccan midfielder Abdelkarim Kissi, said: "I think my team thought we were
already there after the first half. We expected more pressure from them, because
they had nothing to lose, and that is what happened. I didn't expect it so soon
after the break and a few minutes later we gave it all away."
Source: Uefa.com
HEERENVEEN GO DOWN AT RODA
KERKRADE, February 18 (Eredivisie) - Roda JC fell behind
early but scored twice in the second half to damage Heerenveen's
hopes of playing in European football next season.
Arnold Bruggink's 17th minute strike had given Heerenveen
the lead and they held on to that until Gregoor van Dijk's 53rd
minute penalty equaliser. Simon Cziommer
then put the hosts in front for good in the 65th minute. Both
sides finished the game with 10 men after Roda's Pa-Modou Kah
and Heerenveen's Lasse Nilsson exchanged punches.
Heerenveen are hoping to finish in the top five so they can
enter a play-off with Holland's second Champions League place at
stake. They are still in fifth, but level
on 40 points with Ajax who play their game in hand on Sunday
against RBC Roosendaal. Heerenveen
started much the better and controlled most of the first half
but were unable to create clear chances while Roda seemed
lethargic. Roda, however, almost took the
lead in the 16th minute when Sergio put in a cross that Andres
Oper controlled well before striking from 14 yards.
He was unlucky, though, as the ball hit the far post
before rebounding to safety.
Heerenveen's Bruggink scored in the next minute.
He picked up the ball 22 yards out and hit a weak shot on
target. Home keeper Vladan Kujovic made a mess of the save and
the ball went under him to gift the visitors the lead.
Heerenveen then had a chance to double the advantage.
After a goalmouth scramble, Paul Bosvelt managed to get a shot
on target from seven yards but that brought a good save from
Kujovic.
The second half proved to be a different story as the home
side produced much better football while Heerenveen let their
energy levels slip. Eight minutes after
the restart, Ger Senden carried the ball into the area where
Bruggink made an awkward challenge and the referee Reinold
Wiedemeijer awarded a penalty. Van Dijk
stepped up to slot the ball into the left corner for the
equaliser.
In the 65th minute, the home side
took a deserved lead when Cziommer hit a marvellous free-kick
from 22 yards over the wall and into the top corner of the net,
leaving visiting keeper Brian Vandenbussche stranded.
With 16 minutes to go, Roda's Kah and Heerenveen's Nilsson
engaged in a tugging match that blew up into punches and as the
referee struggled to determine who was at fault, he showed both
red cards. The final 15 minutes were
end-to-end football as the visitors tried to get back on level
terms while Roda played on the break.
Roda held out for the three points but remain 12th in the
standings.
source: Sportinglife
RODA JC LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT
Huub Stevens was far from happy with Roda JC's performance
against FC Twente last week and is hoping they will improve by
the time they take on Heerenveen on Saturday.
They already showed some signs of improvement in the
second half of the game on Saturday but it wasn't enough to
prevent a 1-0 defeat. "We started very
weakly in the first half and we gave away too much space,"
Stevens said. "After the break we played
more aggressively and then it became clear that we could force
some chances, but I must admit that we did not play well and we
forgot to score." Stevens already has his
tactics in place for a Heerenveen side who he describes as "a
good team who can play neat football".
"Most probably Arnold Bruggink will be their deepest striker,
with Lasse Nilsson in his back. And we know that Nilsson scored
five goals in his last three games. "Defensive
wise they are good and solid, but we must look at ourselves
first tomorrow, just as we must do normally. It would be nice if
we can send Heerenveen home without any points," he added.
However, Stevens will be without Kevin van Dessel who is
still recovering from a knee operation, and Jan Paul Saeijs who
is suspended after his sixth booking.
Herenveen have played almost the same line-up in their last six
games but are confident that fatigue will not be a problem this
weekend. "I think that we do not have to
change the line up too much and I hope that we get at least one
point in Kerkrade. "We are aiming for a
place in the top five and that is still in our reach, said coach
Gertjan Verbeek. "With such a result we
can compete in the play offs."
Abdelkarim Kissi is being rested for the clash while Boy
Waterman is still out injured.
Source: sportinglife - 18
February 2006
Hearrenfean
ferliest kânsleas
SC-Hearrenfean hat it
earste duel yn de 3e ronde fan de
UEFA-beker woansdeitejûn kânsleas mei 1-3
ferlern fan Steaua Boekarest. De Friezen
namen yn it Abe Lenstra Stadion healwei
de earste helte in foarsprong troch in
doelpunt fan Arnold Bruggink, mar yn de
30-ste minuutwaard it gelyk fia Dica.
Fier yn de twadde helte makke Steaua it
kerwei ôf troch doelpunten fan Goian en
Paraschiv. Takom wike tongersdei is de
return yn Boekarest.
Van Tuinen en Verbeek oer de wedstriid
Source:
omropfryslan - 15 February 2006
Heerenveen 1-3 Steaua Bucuresti
HEERENVEEN, February 15 (UEFA Cup) - Steaua Bucharest have one
foot in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after coming from behind to
register a brilliant 3-1 win at Heerenveen.
The Romanians were unlucky to fall behind to Arnold
Bruggink's 24th-minute opener, but Nicolae Dica equalised within
five minutes. Then as Heerenveen pushed
for a lead to take to Bucharest, Steaua pounced with two goals
in three minutes from Dorin Goian and Sorin Paraschiv to gain a
comfortable advantage for the second leg.
Steaua showed early that they were determined to grab an away
goal. Paraschiv first tested Brian
Vandenbussche after just 12 seconds from 20 yards, and the
Heerenveen goalkeeper then parried a similar effort from Dica
following Mihai Nesu's cross. The hosts
replied with a 25-yard free-kick by Danijel Pranjic only for
Alberto Carlos to make a comfortable save.
But then with their first real chance, Heerenveen went
ahead, Bruggink tucking the ball in from Lasse Nilsson's
left-wing cross.
Steaua soon set about finding an equaliser with Gabriel
Bostina's corner met by Paraschiv, whose header was blocked by
Vandenbussche. But the visitors got
themselves on level terms within a minute. Bostina was again the
provider from the right, with Dica converting into the top
corner from 12 yards. Still Steaua came
forward, though, with Bostina leading the way. The impressive
midfielder put another ball into the box in the 34th minute only
for Paraschiv to shoot wide.
Hjalte Norregaard headed over for Heerenveen just before the
break, and it remained an evenly-balanced contest after the
restart. Dica fired over from a good
position for Steaua, and within a minute, Bruggink forced a good
save from Alberto Carlos at the other end.
Heerenveen began to put the pressure on with Norregaard
denied and Nilsson heading wide from Ugur Yildirim's free-kick.
Yet with the hosts set to regain the lead, Steaua produced a
sucker punch. First Victoras Iacob was
denied by Vandenbussche but from a 76th-minute free-kick by
Bostina, Goian headed home.
Then two minutes later, Iacob centred for Paraschiv, who scored
right-footed from inside the box.
Nilsson came closest to giving Heerenveen a lifeline but was
denied by Alberto Carlos.
Source: Soccernet - 15
February 2006
Superb Steaua halt Heerenveen
FC Steaua Bucuresti
fought back from a goal down to overpower SC Heerenveen in the
first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 32 encounter in the
Netherlands.
Super Steaua
Arnold Bruggink had shot the home team into the lead midway
through the first period before Nicolae Dica levelled just
before the half-hour. It was the Romanian visitors who were able
to build on their opening 45 minutes' work in the second period,
however, as goals from Dorin Goian and Sorin Paraschiv secured
Cosmin Olaroiu's team a comfortable advantage ahead of next
week's reverse fixture.
Bruggink strike
Steaua had not conceded a goal in the group stage but that
impressive run was brought to an end in the 23rd minute when
striker Bruggink met Lasse Nilsson's left-wing cross to put
Heerenveen ahead. Suddenly the memories of departed strikers
Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Georgios Samaras, who both left the
Dutch side in January, were fast receding into memory.
Dica leveller
But six minutes later Steaua were level as Dica met Gabriel
Bostina's cross from the right and placed an emphatic finish
beyond Brian Vandenbussche. Bostina was orchestrating the best
of Steaua's attacking forays and the midfielder provided another
dangerous ball on 34 minutes only for Paraschiv to shoot wide.
Goian goal
Heerenveen rallied after the break, Steaua goalkeeper Carlos
Alberto Fernandes thwarting Hjalte Nørregaard before Nilsson
headed wide with the game finely balanced. Victoras Iacob forced
Vandenbussche to save before Bostina, to the fore again, swung
over a free-kick on 75 minutes for Goian to head into the net.
Two minutes later Iacob centred for Paraschiv who made no
mistake this time, and with three away goals to their name
Steaua will be happy with their night's work ahead of the second
leg at the Ghencea stadium in Bucharest next Thursday.
Heerenveen seek Steau weekness
Having sold
Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Georgios Samaras during the transfer
window, SC Heerenveen will have to be at their best to break
down UEFA Cup Round of 32 opponents FC Steaua Bucuresti, who did
not concede a goal during the group stage.
Vitesse victory
The departure of two of their most talented youngsters could
have long-term implications for Heerenveen, but they do not
appear to be missing them just yet. Gertjan Verbeek's team
looked on course for their first defeat in five games on
Saturday when they trailed Eredivisie rivals BV Vitesse 1-0
midway through the first half, but they came storming back,
scoring four unanswered goals to seal victory.
'Ideal preparation'
"The Vitesse game proves we have a lot of quality and gives us
confidence going into Wednesday's match, it's ideal
preparation," said Paul Bosvelt, who scored Heerenveen's second
goal against Vitesse. Heerenveen, who needed a last-gasp André
Hanssen strike against PFC Levski Sofia to seal a place in the
knockout stages, are looking to go at least one better than last
season when they were eliminated by Newcastle United FC at this
stage.
'Uphill task'
But centre-back Michel Breuer, who signed a new contract on
Tuesday, is under no illusions about the test Steaua pose. "They
didn't concede a goal in the group stage and scoring will not be
as easy for us as against Vitesse," Breuer said. "We might be
content with a goalless draw, although that would leave an
uphill task in Bucharest."
'Dynamic' Dutch
By then Steaua will be closer to their peak as the first leg
marks their first competitive fixture since a goalless draw away
to Hertha BSC Berlin at the end of November saw them finish top
of their section. Nevertheless, the Romanian side's captain
Mirel Radoi urged caution. "Heerenveen are more dynamic now
Samaras and Huntelaar have gone," he said. "Their players can
run all day and we'll have to be at the top of our game and to
score."
Source: Eufa - 14
February 2006
Mål igen av Nilsson för Heerenveen
STOCKHOLM. Förre Elfsborgsanfallaren Lasse Nilsson gjorde sitt
sjätte ligamål när Heerenveen vann med 4-1 (1-1) hemma mot
Vitesse Arnhem på lördagen. Nilsson satte 3-1 när det återstod
knappt en halvtimme.
Source:
Aftonbladet -
12 February 2006
Lasse Nilsson gjorde sitt
sjätte ligamål
Förre Elfsborgsanfallaren Lasse
Nilsson gjorde sitt sjätte ligamål när Heerenveen vann med 4-1
(1-1) hemma mot Vitesse Arnhem på lördagen. Nilsson satte 3-1
när det återstod knappt en halvtimme.
Source: Expresen - 12
February 2006
NILSSON RUNS
RIOT
A superb hat-trick from Lasse Nilsson earned Heerenveen a
comfortable 3-0 win over ADO Den Haag on Sunday. The home side
dominated from the outset, and played with a determination and
passion that Den Haag were unable to match. Den Haag have now
conceded 10 goals in their last three games without scoring
themselves, and there can be no doubt that these are worrying
times for them.
Nilsson's first strike came after just two minutes. Paul Bosvelt
played him in with a delightfully weighted pass, and the Swedish
striker made no mistake with a finish of real quality.
Heerenveen had another chance in the 15th minute but Ugur
Yildirim's powerfully struck free-kick flew wide of the mark.
Despite completely dominating large parts of the game, the home
side had to wait until the 34th minute for their second when
Nilsson took advantage of a defensive lapse.
Said Bakkati failed to spot the striker lurking and Nilsson
easily intercepted his attempted back pass before sliding the
ball into the back of the net. The home side continued to
dominate the game and Yildirim had a good chance to make it 3-0
in the 55th minute but he again shot wide when he really should
have hit the target.
Nilsson completed his hat-trick in the 78th minute, and at the
same time made the game safe, when Bosvelt again split the
defence with a fine pass, allowing the Swede to finish past
Robert Zwinkels.
Source: Sportinglife -
12 February 2006
|
SC Heerenveen -
Vitesse Arnhem 4-1
|
|
|
Heerenveen 4, Vitesse Arnhem 1 -
Final
|
|
GOAL SCORING |
VIT -
Mads Junker, 8th min.
HEE - Paul Bosvelt, 48th min.
HEE - Lasse Nilsson, 61st min.
HEE - Ugur Yildirim, 75th min.
|
|
|
|
LINEUPS
|
|
Vitesse
Arnhem
|
Heerenveen
|
Gino
Coutinho, GK
Michael Dingsdag, D
Purrel Frankel, D
Ruud Knol, D
Onur Kaya, M
Gill Swerts, M
Abubakari Yakubu, M
Fred Benson, S
Tom De Mul, S
Richard Knopper, S
Mads Junker, S
RESERVES:
Piet Veldhuizen, GK
Siebe Blondelle, D
Tim De Meersman, M
Eldridge Rojer, S
Theo Janssen, M
Colin Van Mourik,
|
Brian
Vandenbussche, GK
Michel Breuer, D
Jeroen Drost, D
Petter Hansson, D
Marcel Seip, D
Paul Bosvelt, M
Arnold Bruggink, M
Hjalte Norregaard, M
Lasse Nilsson, M
Danijel Pranjic, M
Ugur Yildirim, S
RESERVES:
Kevin Moeliker, GK
Fernando Derveld, D
Andre Hanssen, M
Thomas Prager, M
Niklas Tarvajarvi, S
Mark de Vries, S
Jakob Poulsen,
|
|
SUBSTITUTIONS
|
|
Vitesse
Arnhem
|
Heerenveen
|
|
Eldridge Rojer for Michael Dingsdag
in the 74th minute
|
Thomas Prager for Jeroen Drost in
the 74th minute
Fernando Derveld for Lasse Nilsson
in the 74th minute
Mark de Vries for Arnold Bruggink in
the 75th minute
|
Source: Sportillustrated - 11 February
2006
|
|
|
SC Heerenveen - Vitesse 4-1
SC Heerenveen easily defeated Vitesse at the Abe
Lenstra Stadium. The guests did take the lead through
Junker in the 7th minute, but Ugur Yildirim levelled in
the 19th.
Paul Bosvelt then put the hosts in the lead in the
49th minute, and a goal from Lasse Nilsson in the 61st
minute and another from Yildirim in the 76th, set the
score to 4-1.
Source: soccerworld
- 12 February 2006
HEERENVEEN MOVED INTO FOURTH PLACE
Heerenveen moved into fourth place with 40 points following a 4-1 win over
Vitesse Arnhem. Arnhem took the lead after six minutes
when Mads Junker nodded in a cross by Tom de Mul.
Ugur Yildirim equalised 13 minutes later after the
Arnhem defence failed to clear the ball then Paul Bosvelt gave Heerenveen the
lead three minutes into the second half.
Lasse Nilsson sealed the win on the hour with his fifth goal in three matches,
while Yildirim completed the rout with his second of the match.
Source: Reuters - 11 february 2006
HEERENVEEN HIT FOUR
Heerenveen will not win the Dutch title this season but finishing as high as
fifth would do just fine as it would give the team a chance to play in next
season's Champions League.
They entered Saturday's game against in-form Vitesse in fifth place (positions
two through five will enter into a play-off to take part in Europe's elite club
competition) and after falling behind early, hit back with a vengeance to win
4-1.
Tom de Mul fed Mads Junker in the eighth minute and he finished in style for a
1-0 Vitesse lead. Twenty minutes into the clash and
Heerenveen had evened things up. A corner was only
half-cleared and Ugur Yildirim scored through a crowd of players from 16 yards.
The hosts then needed goalkeeper Brian Vandenbussche to come up with a
fine save to deny De Mul from 16 yards, and keep the game knotted 1-1 at
half-time.
The break did not do Vitesse's chances any good, and a small delay may have had
something to do with it. Referee Jan Wegereef was unable
to continue into the second half and had to be replaced.
But once proceedings resumed, Heerenveen took control.
Hjalte Bo Norregaard passed to Paul Bosvelt and his 22-yard shot was too good
for visiting keeper Gino Coutinho. The home side doubled
their advantage when Yildirim's shot broke back to Lasse Nilsson and he scored
easily from eight yards. Vitesse found themselves trying
to hold on after Danijel Pranjic's shot was cleared by the defence straight to
Arnold Bruggink. The striker couldn't control the ball,
though, and the chance went begging.
The advantage did grow to 4-1 when a cross into the danger area was met by a
Mark de Vries header and Yildirim nipped in to divert the ball into the net for
his second goal. Vitesse had two more chances as the
hosts took their foot off the pedal. Ruud Knol's 20-yard
free-kick was just wide of the goal and Vandenbussche produced a good save to
deny Richard Knopper.
The victory is sweet for Heerenveen, who climbed into fourth place and have 40
points - 20 less than leaders PSV but three more than sixth placed Ajax.
For Vitesse, they are still in the hunt for fifth place themselves
although the loss dropped the Arnhem club to 10th place, keeping them on 33
points.
Source: Sportinglife - 11 february 2006
SC Heerenveen-Heracles: 1-1
Heerenveen
Sportclub Heerenveen hat woansdei yn Almelo mei 1-1 gelykspile tsjin Heracles.
Nilsson makke koart foar de rêst it iennichste Fryske doelpunt. Tanghe soarge
tolve minuten foar it einsinjaal foar de lykmakker. Reekers fan Heracles krige
in giele kaart fan skiedsrjochter Temmink.
From www.omropfryslan.nl
- 8 Februari 2006
Tre nya svenskmål i Holland
Den förre Elfsborgsspelaren Lasse Nilsson
gjorde sitt fjärde ligamål på två matcher när han såg till att ordna en poäng
för sitt Heerenveen i mötet med Heracles.
Nilsson gav laget ledningen med 1-0 strax före
halvtidsvilan, en ledning som höll sig till den 78:e minuten då Stefan Tanghe
kvitterade.
Source: Expressen - 8 Februari 2006
|
DUTCH FIRST DIVISION MATCH SUMMARY
|
|
Heerenveen 3, Ado Den Haag 0 - Final
|
|
GOAL
SCORING
|
HEE -
Lasse Nilsson, 2nd
min.
HEE - Lasse Nilsson, 34th min.
HEE - Lasse Nilsson, 78th min.
|
|
|
|
BOOKINGS
|
|
ADO DEN
HAAG - Tomasz Rzasa for Unsporting
Behaviour in the 76th minute
|
| |
|
LINEUPS
|
|
Ado Den
Haag
|
Heerenveen
|
Robbert
Zwinkels, GK
Alberto Saavedra Munoz, D
Youssef El Akchaoui, D
Said Bakkati, D
Edwin De Graaf, M
Chris Kum, D
Tomasz Rzasa, D
Aleksandar Rankovic, M
Eljero Elia, S
Geert Den Ouden, S
Joonas Kolkka, S
RESERVES:
Arjan Van der Kaaij, GK
Angelo Martha, D
Michael Mols, S
Roy Stroeve, S
Paulus Roiha, S
Spira Grujic, D
Peter Jungschlager, M |
Brian
Vandenbussche, GK
Petter Hansson, D
Michel Breuer, D
Marcel Seip, D
Jeroen Drost, D
Paul Bosvelt, M
Lasse Nilsson, M
Abdelkrim Kissi, M
Danijel Pranjic, M
Arnold Bruggink, M
Ugur Yildirim, S
RESERVES:
Kevin Moeliker, GK
Hjalte Norregaard, M
Andre Hanssen, M
Mark de Vries, S
Thomas Prager, M
Fernando Derveld, D
Niklas Tarvajarvi, S
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SUBSTITUTIONS
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Ado Den
Haag
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Heerenveen
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Paulus Roiha for Eljero Elia in the
62nd minute
Peter Jungschlager for Tomasz Rzasa
in the 80th minute
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Mark de Vries for Jeroen Drost in
the 73rd minute
Fernando Derveld for Arnold Bruggink
in the 73rd minute
Thomas Prager for Lasse Nilsson in
the 80th minute
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Source:
sportillustrated - 7
February 2006 |
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Tre svenskmål i Holland - Rosenberg & Touma
matchvinnare
Svenskarna är heta i Holland. I går gjorde Markus
Rosenberg sitt tionde mål för säsongen. Även Lasse
Nilsson och Sharbel Touma noterades för var sitt mål.
Rosenberg har kommit igång rejält och levererar i match efter match.
I och med gårdagens segermål har skånepågen gjort mål i samtliga Ajax
matcher i år - eller i fem raka om man så vill. Målet
förde upp honom till en sjätte plats
i skytteligan - åtta mål färre än ledande Shota Arveladze, Alkmaar.
Den förre detta Elfsborgsspelaren Lasse Nilsson gjorde sitt fjärde ligamål på
två matcher och gav sitt Heerenveen ledningen i första halvlek. Matchen slutade
dock 1-1 efter Heracles kvittering med tio minuter kvar.
Sharbel Touma ordnade tre poäng för sitt Twente som bortaslog Vitesse.
Touma avgjorde matchen med sitt 2-1 mål på övertid.
Svensklagen Ajax, Heerenveen och Twente är dock långt efter PSV Eindhoven
som leder den holländska ligan.
Source: Aftonbladet - 8 Februari 2005
Winst foar Hearrenfean
Hearrenfean hat snein in nuttige winst
boekt. Tsjin ADO Den Haag wûnen de Feansters mei 3-0. Nilsson skoarde alle trije
doelpunten.
De ploech fan trener Verbeek koe in goed resultaat wol brûke nei in tal mindere
wedstriden. It wie oars net in al te bêste wedstriid, wêryn It Fean by de twadde
goal in hantsje holpen waard troch âld-spiler Bakkati, dy't no foar Den Haach
spilet. Hearrenfean stiet no sechsde.
Luister naar Lasse
van www.omropfryslan.nl - 6 Februari
2006
Nilsson tremålsskytt för Heerenveen
Förre Elfsborgsanfallaren Lasse Nilsson stod för ett hattrick när Heerenveen
vann med 3–0 hemma mot Den Haag. Målsuccén inleddes med 1–0 redan i den andra
minuten, och fortsatte med 2–0 i den 34:e och 3–0 i den 78:e. När matchen var
över hade Nilsson utökat sin målskörd från ett till fyra ligamål hittills under
säsongen.
Source: Aftonbladet
- 6 Februari 2006
Lasse Nilsson trefzeker voor Heerenveen
(Novum) - Heerenveen heeft zondag in eigen huis ADO Den Haag met 3-0
verslagen. De Zweedse aanvaller Lasse Nilsson maakte alle treffers voor de
Friezen en deed zijn voorgangers Klaas-Jan Huntelaar en Georgios Samaras voor
even vergeten. Die twee verlieten onlangs de Friese club voor respectievelijk
Ajax en Manchester City.
5 Februari 2006Nilssons sköna målsuccé
Förre Elfsborgsanfallaren Lars Nilsson bjöd på målshow. Tre mål mot Den Haag.
Det var hans första hattrick i Holland. Målsuccén
inleddes med 1-0 redan i den andra minuten, och fortsatte med 2-0 i den 34:e och
3-0 i den 78:e. När matchen var över hade Nilsson utökat sin målskörd från ett
till fyra ligamål hittills under säsongen.
Source: Expressen -
5 Februari 2006
Tre mål av Lasse
Nilsson i holländska ligan
Lasse Nilsson,
tidigare i Elfsborg, gjorde tre mål när Heerenveen
besegrade Den Haag med 3-0 i holländska ligan på
söndagen. Nilsson har därmed gjort fyra ligamål i
Holland!
Source: DN - 5 Februari 2006
Hattrick av
Lasse Nilsson
Förre
Elfsborgsanfallaren Lasse Nilsson stod för ett
hattrick när Heerenveen vann med 3-0 hemma mot Den
Haag. Målsuccén inleddes med 1-0 redan i den andra
minuten, och fortsatte med 2-0 i den 34:e och 3-0 i
den 78:e.
När matchen var över hade
Nilsson utökat sin målskörd från ett till fyra
ligamål hittills under säsongen.
Source: SVD - 5 Februari 2006
Hattrick av Lasse
Nilsson
Förre Elfsborgsanfallaren Lasse
Nilsson stod för ett hattrick när Heerenveen vann
med 3—0 hemma mot Den Haag. Målsuccén inleddes med
1—0 redan i den andra minuten, och fortsatte med 2—0
i den 34:e och 3—0 i den 78:e.
När matchen var över hade Nilsson utökat sin
målskörd från ett till fyra ligamål hittills under
säsongen.
Source HE - 5
februari 2006
